The History of Palm Sunday
First known as the Pascha (Passover), the meaning of Palm Sunday can be understood by looking at the history of the Christian church. Palm Sunday originated in the Jerusalem Church, around the late fourth century. The ceremony consisted of prayers, hymns, and sermons recited by the clergy while the people moved among various holy sites throughout the city. At the last site, where Christ ascended into heaven, the clergy would read from the gospels concerning the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. In the early evening they would return to the city reciting: "Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord." The children would carry palm and olive branches as the people returned through the city to the church, where they would hold evening services.
Palm Sunday commemorates the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. The gospels record the arrival of Jesus riding into the city on a donkey, while the crowds spread their cloaks and palm branches on the street and shouted "Hosanna to the Son of David" and "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord" to honor him as their long-awaited Messiah and King.
The significance of Jesus riding a donkey and having his way paved with palm branches is a fulfillment of a prophecy spoken by the prophet Zechariah (Zechariah 9:9). In biblical times, the regional custom called for kings and nobles arriving in procession to ride on the back of a donkey. The donkey (or domesticated ass) was a symbol of peace; those who rode upon them proclaimed peaceful intentions. The laying of palm branches indicated that the king or dignitary was arriving in victory or triumph.
According to Reverend Father Peter Babangida Audu, Director, Church and Society of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Abuja, Palm Sunday signifies and defines leadership. He said since Christ entered Jerusalem riding on the back of a colt, it was important that leaders today imbibe the virtues of humility and service to their people.
“Jesus Christ did not enter Jerusalem with any fanfair. He came as a humble servant of his people. His riding on the colt signified that he was a humble leader that was ready to lay down his life for his people. By the people spreading palms and their clothes, it showed that Christ was accepted as a king. In Jewish tradition, palm fronds are royal leaves, so it is still significant for us Christians to welcome Christ in our lives as our king,” he said.
Father Audu added that during Palm Sunday, Christians are reminded of the victory of Christ over death, in preparation for the celebration of Easter. “Palm Sunday signals the beginning of the Holy Week, the week of Easter, and the week is holy to the church because it marks the liberation of mankind from sin.”
The catholic priest urged politicians and those in leadership positions to reflect on the kingship of Jesus Christ, a “kingship of true humility and service to the people,” stressing that the church is always concerned about the leadership problems in Nigeria where leadership is defined on the basis of a master-servant relationship.
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