Palm Sunday commemorates the Christian belief in the triumphal entry of
Jesus into Jerusalem, when he was greeted by cheering crowds waving palm
branches that they set out on the ground along his path, according to the
Bible, The Courage.
The ritual or liturgy typically starts with a blessing of the palms by
clergy. It’s followed by a reading of the Passion of Christ, meaning an account
of the final events of Jesus’ life.
This year, Palm Sunday falls on March 24. Also known as Passion Sunday, it
marks the start of Holy Week. The most sacred week of the Christian year
includes the Good Friday re-enactment of Jesus’ crucifixion story and death,
and their belief in his resurrection on Easter.
The procession of Jesus into Jerusalem is described by the four Gospel
writers in the Bible. The Gospels differ, but based on one expert they agree on
this: Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey.
Pierce writes that this brings to mind a reference from the Book of
Zechariah in Jewish scriptures, where the prophet describes a victorious king
who enters Jerusalem riding on a donkey.
In
the biblical Palm Sunday story, a cheering crowd greeted Jesus along the road.
Some spread their garments on the ground; others threw down leafy branches they
had cut from the fields. In the Gospel of John, they are branches from palms, a
tree that symbolized victory and triumph. In the Gospel of Matthew, people
began to shout: “Hosanna to the son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in
the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” The word “Hosanna” was a
plea for salvation and an exclamation of adoration.
