Hosanna to our King

As we celebrate Palm Sunday today, we honor Jesus as he is welcomed into Jerusalem before his passion and death. This was the Palestinians' way of giving a ticker-tape parade to their hero whom they have listened to, followed and saw performing many miracles among them. Many of those people healed by Him were there waving palm branches and laying down their cloaks on the road. Others were still suspicious of him and soon will shout "crucify Him!" or "release Barabbas!" This day is rich with symbolism, and besides the donkeys that I shared with you yesterday, parishioners look forward to having a piece of a palm or olive branch to hang next to a crucifix at their homes. Palm branches are popular in the USA and other tropical countries, but many other countries do not have any palms. In Malta as well as in Italy, we use olive branches instead, although someone like the Pope gets a decorative cross made from palms to carry. The Greek Orthodox, on the other hand, use pussy willow instead of palms or olive branches. As we enter Holy Week, may we find time to focus on the spiritual meaning of these holy days, and reflect on the mysteries of the Eucharist and the Priesthood on Holy Thursday, the Passion and Death of Christ on Good Friday, and ultimately the glorious Resurrection of Jesus on Easter.