“As we observe Palm Sunday today, let us become witnesses of Jesus. We may be separated from each other but never separated from God. He is with us, always,” a Catholic Church leader said as the faithful marks the first day of the Holy Week today.
“God is with us wherever we go. There is purpose and hope for all these. And it is found in Jesus. Do not get tired of doing good. Be bold witnesses of Jesus despite our trials and difficulties,” said Balanga Bishop Ruperto C. Santos.
“Palm Sunday, the first day of the Holy Week, commemorates Jesus’ triumphant yet humble entry to Jerusalem during His last week of earthly mission. The faithful around the world celebrates this significant event as He translates His teachings into reality by laying down His life for our sins. Jesus fulfilled the will of His Father, revealing what true love and forgiveness is all about,” Santos said.
In today’s Gospel, Santos cited the three kinds of people who bore witness to the first Palm Sunday: Those who rejected Jesus, those who were indifferent, and those who became witnesses.
“Let us not be those who reject Jesus, like hypocrites who honor Him with their mouths, but their hearts are far from Him. Being satisfied with simply being hearers instead of doers is a form of rejecting Christ. People who say one thing and do another thing. Ask ourselves, how can I be used for God’s glory at this time of pandemic?” he said.
“Let us resist being indifferent. Let us be compassionate and ever willing to help others. Despite all that is happening, let us carry our own crosses in our own way and be one with Jesus. Let us become witnesses of Jesus,” the prelate said.
Santos said that to be true witnesses of Jesus is to possess His qualities.
“As we remember the very first Palm Sunday, let us receive Jesus in our hearts as He reigns with peace and love. As His witnesses, let us possess His qualities that will make others see that the true and living King reigns in our life,” the bishop said.
Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion is considered the world over as a Sunday of the highest rank in commemoration of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem astride a donkey, where a huge jubilant crowd waving palm fronds and crying “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” welcomed the Son of God (Matthew 21:1-9).
In the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, no public masses, processions, and blessing of palm fronds (palaspas) will be held today.
Instead, the faithful are advised to hear the Palm Sunday mass online or on television. Virtual blessing of palms (if available) will be done by the mass celebrant. The Church said, any branch with leaves may take the place of the palaspas if it is unavailable and no holy water is needed for the blessing.
According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, “The branches of palms signify victory over death and the advent of spiritual victory through Christ. The death and resurrection of Christ bring us closer to eternal life as man becomes one with God and God becomes one with man.” (Christina I. Hermoso)
