By Leon Bent –
Holy Week opens on Palm Sunday morning with a ceremony that can be most impressive and dramatic, if conditions are such that it can be carried out realistically.
It all began in Jerusalem, very long ago there was a custom of acting out the triumphant entry of our Lord into the city. The congregation assembled in a chapel near Bethany, the place from which our Lord started. They accompanied the Bishop (who represented Christ), singing Psalms of praise, shouting Hosannas and waving branches of palms and olives. This practice spread throughout the Christian world and was formalised, after many years.
It is sad to say that since the Middle Ages, the Palm Sunday Service, left out its main point – the procession. The emphasis was more on the blessings of palms, and a very elaborate rite grew took prominence. By contrast the procession became a mere token affair. Palm Sunday is an opportunity to publicly manifest our loyalty to Christ our triumphant King, as he goes through Agony, the Way of the Cross and the Cross itself, for our redemption. On this auspicious day the Procession should be as long as possible.
This procession takes us, in spirit, right back into the past. Yet, it is more than a mere memory; for, in our procession we are actually accompanying Christ in the present moment. How is this possible? Christ is present in three ways: First, symbolically, in the Cross which heads the procession; second, through his representative the priest; third, through the community gathered in his name.
This procession also looks to the future. Christ, in his redemptive work, passed from earth to heaven, which is the New Jerusalem. The Church stands for both, the earthly Jerusalem, as well as for the New Jerusalem of heaven. When Christ comes again, he will lead our risen bodies into everlasting bliss. This is a time to relish this extraordinary feature at the Parousia. Our Procession on Palm Sunday is a prelude, a rehearsal, of our final Passover on the Last Day.
The main door of the Church represents the Gate of Heaven. It is a good idea to have it decorated with palms or flowers. This will resemble the triumphal arches under which Roman Emperors used to pass, when celebrating victory in battle. But, who is so great a Victor as Christ? Who died on a Cross to win victory over sin and damnation, from the beginning of time, till the end of the world, for all peoples, worldwide.
Now, from the past, we turn to the present. During the Mass on Palm Sunday, when we celebrate Mass at our parish altar, Calvary is made mystically present. It is the perfect conclusion to our prayerful listening to Jesus’ Passion Story. With special vividness, “we call to mind the blessed passion and death” of God’s Son, even though the palms, just blessed, will not let us forget his resurrection from the grave and his glorious ascension into heaven.” When we return home it would be good if we place the “blessed palms”, maybe in the shape of crosses, to place them in one or more places of our homes.
Why should we do this? This powerful and beautiful prayer is usually said after the Procession: “Lord Jesus Christ, our King and Redeemer, in whose honour we have borne these branches and sung a hymn of triumph; be pleased to grant that wherever these branches be taken, there the grace of your Blessing may be present, and all the wicked devices of hell be undone; with your right hand, protect those whom you have ransomed, through Christ our Lord.”
The palms are not instruments of magic. They are not like superstitious amulets supposed to possess any power or virtue of their own. But, they are visible signs of the powerful prayer of God’s Church which calls down the blessing of God in the places they are kept. We, who have faith in the Church should have faith in our prayers, and make use of their power to our sanctification and protection.
Leon Bent is an ex-Seminarian and studied the Liberal Arts and Humanities, and Philosophy, from St. Pius X College, Mumbai. He holds Masters Degree in English Literature and Aesthetics. He has published three Books and have 20 on the anvil. He has two extensively “Researched” Volumes to his name: Hail Full of Grace and Matrimony: The Thousand Faces of Love. He won The Examiner, Silver Pen Award, 2000 for writing on Social Issues, the clincher being a Researched Article on Gypsies in India, published in an issue of the (worldwide circulation) Vidyajyoti Journal of Theological Reflection, New Delhi. On April, 28, 2018, Leon received the Cardinal Ivan Dias Award for a research paper in Mariology.