Palm Sunday solemnly inaugurates Holy Week, intertwining the memory of both Palms and Passion. This day commemorates the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, an event marked by the liturgy of the word in the Gospel of Saint Mark, which recalls the Passion of the Lord.
The Confluence of Traditions on Palm Sunday
The celebration of Palm Sunday is the result of the fusion of two liturgical currents: on one hand, the jubilant, crowded, and festive liturgy of the mother church of Jerusalem, which seeks to replicate the acts performed by Jesus in this city; and on the other hand, the sober commemoration of the passion, characteristic of the Roman liturgy. Both traditions come together in a celebration that invites contemporary reflection.
We mentally transport ourselves to Jerusalem, ascending to the Mount of Olives until reaching the chapel of Bethphage. This place reminds us of the prophetic act of Jesus, who presents himself as a King of peace, initially acclaimed and later condemned, in a complete fulfillment of the prophecies.
For a moment, the people revived the hope of having among them, manifestly and without concealment, the one who came in the name of the Lord. This was perceived by the humblest, the disciples, and those who followed Jesus, seeing him as a King.
Blessed is He Who Comes as King in the Name of the Lord
Contrary to Saint Luke, who does not mention olives or palms, the crowd spread their cloaks on the ground as a tribute to a king, while they acclaimed:
“Blessed is he who comes as King in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest.”
These words, laden with reminiscences of the announcements of the Lord’s birth in Bethlehem to the humblest, resonated once again.
Since the 4th century, Jerusalem has commemorated this episode with a massive procession, reflecting the splendor of its liturgical life. This act captivated the pilgrims so much that the tradition of the palm procession was established in the West as one of the most emblematic celebrations of Holy Week.
The Liturgical Contrast of Palm Sunday
Delving into the Roman liturgy, we find ourselves before a profound contrast: the triumphant journey of Christ during Palm Sunday versus the painful Way of the Cross of Holy Week.
This contrast anticipates the proclamation of the Paschal mystery, highlighting the last words of Jesus on the cross as the seed that should drive the Church’s evangelizing mission in the world.
Father, into Your Hands I Commit My Spirit
This pronouncement constitutes the core of the gospel and the new evangelization. In the apparent autonomy of the modern world, it becomes essential to announce the mystery of a God who shows the height of his love in weakness.
The detailed narration of Jesus’ Passion by the early Christians revealed the love of a God who plunges with us into the depths of meaninglessness, sin, and death.
This message, which resonated strongly with Jesus’ abandonment and extreme trust, was presented as a realistic testimony to the pagan world, allowing the magnitude of the Resurrection’s power to be measured.
Anticipation of the Resurrection on Palm Sunday
The liturgy of the palms on this Sunday, known as the Pascha floridum, prefigures the triumph of the Resurrection.
The reading of the Passion, for its part, invites us to consciously immerse ourselves in the contemplation of Holy Week, marked by the glorious and loving Passion of Christ the Lord. This dual focus prepares us to fully experience the mystery of Jesus’ death and resurrection, emphasizing the call to reflection and spiritual renewal during these sacred days.
