Palm Sunday and You

“As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”- St. Matthew 21:1-3. Many of us have been through countless Palm Sundays. Unfortunately, for too many Palm Sunday has become just another Sunday. Palm Sunday has become a day to adorn ourselves in the best clothes in the closet and sprint off to our favourite place of worship where we have all become overly comfortable. The truth is we have all drifted away from Christ; clearly some more than others. Sadly, even those among the clergy have lost their way. We live in a secular world where material acquisitions and possessions have become the number one currency and priority. Religion and spirituality have taken a back seat. Disappointingly, there of those among us who are unaware they have drifted. The season of Easter, particularly Holy Week is a time of self-reflection. It is liberating when you can be honest to yourself and your Heavenly Father. While we can mimic a sense of religiosity; feign the Holy Spirit rest assured we cannot fool God. Palm Sunday is the Christian holiday that occurs on the Sunday before Easter. This celebration commemorates Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, mentioned in each of the four Gospels. Jesus entered the city knowing He would be tried and crucified, and welcomed His fate to rise from the grave and save us from sin! Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, Jesus’ last days prior to His crucifixion for the redemption of humanity’s sins. Easter is not about eating spiced buns and cheese and partying. Regrettably, too many of us have fallen into that devilish trap and have undoubtedly passed this on to our children and associates. In many churches, Palm Sunday is observed by the blessing and sharing of palm branches symbolizing the branches placed in front of Christ as he entered into Jerusalem. As a youngster I looked forward to Palm Sunday. On Palm Sunday mornings, we would pick branches from the various palm trees in our garden to take along with us to Sunday School which we would proudly waved especially during service when the senior choir, under the directorship of Mother Fearon of blessed memory would lead her charge singing, “Blessed is He who cometh in the name of the Lord.” As children we all attended Sunday school and church. In our home there was no room for discussion or negotiations regarding certain matters. My parents were no nonsense and old school folks, particularly my mom. Even so, as children we had fun, my parents are loving folks. History of Palm Sunday Palm Sunday, also called Passion Sunday, in the Christian tradition is associated in many churches with the blessing and procession of palms (leaves of the date palm or twigs from locally available trees). Palm Sunday is celebrated on Sunday, April 10, 2022. These special ceremonies were taking place toward the end of the 4th century in Jerusalem and are described in the travelogue Peregrinatio Etheriae (The Pilgrimage of Etheria). In the West the earliest evidence of the ceremonies is found in the Bobbio Sacramentary (8th century). During the Middle Ages the ceremony for the blessing of the palms was elaborate: the procession began in one church, went to a church in which the palms were blessed, and returned to the church in which the procession had originated for the singing of the liturgy. Palm Sunday observances consist of hymns, prayers, and Bible readings as people traveled through the many holy places within the city. At the final place, the site of Jesus’ ascent into heaven, the ministry would recite the biblical passage of Jesus’ victorious entrance into Jerusalem. Then as dusk neared, the people would return to the city declaring: “Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord”- St. Matthew 21:9. The shouts of "Hosanna" meant "save now," and the palm branches symbolized goodness and victory. I am a fan of Tasha Cobbs, an American anointed gospel singer and her song “Goodness of God” is apt at this juncture. “I love You, Lord For Your mercy never fails me All my days, I've been held in Your hands From the moment that I wake up Until I lay my head Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God And all my life You have been faithful (oh) And all my life You have been so, so good With every breath that I am able Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God (yeah) 'Cause Your goodness is running after It's running after me Your goodness is running after It's running after me With my life laid down I'm surrendered now I give You everything 'Cause Your goodness is running after It keeps running after me.” Palm Sunday has a paradoxical side, in that a week before Jesus was crucified like a criminal, he rode into Jerusalem like a king. As we commemorate and celebrate this Holy Week which is the most sacred in Christendom, let us recommit ourselves to follow Christ. Palm Sunday should serve as a reminder to all of us of the need to welcome Jesus into our hearts; a time to pray for repentance of our sins as well as a time to foster and develop a spirit of resolve and willingness to follow Christ. In these troubling times we need to be our brother’s and sister’s keeper. We cannot be that busy so as not to have some time to give someone a call just to check up on them. May this Palm Sunday be the day you ride symbolically with Jesus into Jerusalem. May you separate yourself from your life of sin and iniquity to a glorious and abundant life with Jesus Christ. May you have an inspired and blessed Palm Sunday. In the words of Carl Tuttle, Lord, we lift up your name. With hearts full of praise; Be exalted, O Lord my God! Hosanna in the highest!" Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues. waykam@yahoo.com @WayneCamo © #PalmSunday #PassionSunday