Fr. Lijo Velliyamkandathil from Kalyan Diocese, in the video series of Catholic Focus named ‘Know the Lent’, shone the light on the spiritual importance of Palm Sunday. The last week of Lent is called as the Holy Week, Great Week, Passion Week – ValiyaAzhcha. It is called so, as the most important events of salvation history are unfolded in this week.
The priest highlighted that “The seventh Sunday of the Lent is celebrated as Osana Njayar (Palm Sunday). The etymological meaning of the Hebrew word Hosana is ‘Lord save us’. It is also an expression of adoration, praise and joy. On this feast we commemorate the triumphal messianic entry of our Lord into Jerusalem. The book of Exodus teaches us about the preparation for Pesaha meal. The Passover lamb is to be selected and protected before 4 days of Pesaha. Counting the days we realize that Jesus is setting himself apart as the Passover Lamb on the Palm Sunday to be immolated on the cross. The royal entry of Jesus to Jerusalem is an entry towards the suffering and death on the cross. “
Fr. Lijo explained that “It is also known as Kuruthola Thirunal. When Jesus entered Jerusalem the people waived the olive leaves and branches to welcome their king to the holy city. On Palm Sunday we are reliving the whole episode by waving the palm leaves which symbolize the welcoming of Jesus our King to our hearts. On this day the palm leaves are blessed and distributed to the faithful. Holding the blessed coconut leaves and singing hosanna hymns the faithful come to the main entrance of the church in a procession. The end of the procession is symbolic in which the priest knocks at the main door of the church three times and the door is opened from inside. Jesus is knocking at our hearts and the door of our hearts has to be opened from within. The blessed coconut leaves are brought home from the church and kept in the houses as a symbol of protection from evil.”
The priest concludes his remarks by encouraging the faithful by saying that “Let us open the doors of our heart to its real king. Let him reign over us and save us. Hosana. Amen.”
