Palm Sunday
In commemoration of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
He came on a donkey. Meaning, He came in peace. Had he come on a horse, he would have been construed as a war-waging king.
The celebrating people in Jerusalem lay down their cloaks in front of him and also lay down small branches of trees/palm fronds (palm branch being a symbol of triumph and victory in Jewish tradition) while they sang ‘…Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord…’
According to the accounts of the four canonical Gospels, this event took place before His arrest on Holy Thursday and His Crucifixion on Good Friday.
Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, the final week of Lent, and the week in which Christians celebrate the mystery of their salvation through Christ's Death and His Resurrection on Easter Sunday.
Everyone has to bear in mind that the same crowd who welcomed and hailed Jesus Christ were the same crowd who called for His death.
In our everyday existence, how many times do we hail Him and then relentlessly crucify Him?
At the Nunciature, the faithfuls gathered on Saturday (Sunday) for the blessing of the palm fronds. For OFWS present, the palaspas (palm branches, though not as ornately woven as in their native country), are taken home and are placed on altars or hung beside, on or above doorways and windows. Although the true purpose of this custom is to welcome Jesus Christ, many Filipinos hold the branches to be apotropaic, able to turn away any evil spirits, avert lightning and fires.
The blessing of the palm fronds and the Holy Mass was celebrated by Fr. Andrew assisted by OFWS Nonito Barraquias, Sherwin Cayabyab, Engelbert Llames.
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| ...preparation for the blessing in front of The Nunciature |
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| ...blessing of the palm fronds... |
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| ...the faithfuls with the palm fronds |
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| Fr. Andrew with OFW Nonito Barraquias waiting for the parishioners to enter the church... |
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