Palm Sunday 2023

The most important item we will bring home from church today is a Palm Branch. For some, it will be laid on a table and forgotten. For some, it will hold a prominent place in their home, perhaps behind a Crucifix or an image of Jesus or Mary. For all of us though it is a symbol of remembrance.
The Palm Branch that we wave this evening/morning, we wave in exultation and rejoicing that Jesus, our King has come. For some, on that first Palm Sunday, it was a moment to rejoice in their successes. Some had been cured by this King, others had been told their sins had been forgiven, still others that “if you believe in me you will never die.” They rejoiced!
In a way, the palm branch is like a reflection of our lives. We wave the palm branches at the beginning of Mass in celebrations of the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. We too have had our moments of glory and celebrated our achievements and successes.
In the days to come, the palm branch will dry up and turn brown, and after a while it will be almost forgotten; whether it is behind a crucifix or an image, or just lying on a table. And we too will have our “dry moments” and we may feel like we are being left aside, being left out, or at times even feel rather useless. They also tell us that we too have to die to ourselves in repentance, so as to rise to new life with Christ in the Resurrection.
As we enter into Holy Week, let us unite ourselves with Jesus in His suffering and death, so that together with Jesus, we will rise to the new life in the Resurrection!