Lively Palm Sunday leads to Christ’s death and resurrection

Palm Sunday begins the celebration of Holy Week — the most sacred time of year for Christians. Many Long Islanders will attend religious services in commemoration of important events in the life of Jesus Christ, his crucifixion on Good Friday and resurrection on Easter Sunday. This week’s clergy discuss Palm Sunday’s origins and importance today to Christians the world over.

The Rev. Nicholas A. Zientarski, pastor, St. Christopher’s Roman Catholic Church, Baldwin; parish director, Office of Worship, Diocese of Rockville Centre

Historical evidence shows the long-standing tradition of Palm Sunday. The fourth-century French pilgrim, Egeria, gave an eyewitness account of Palm Sunday experiences in Jerusalem with the early resident Christians of that city. She saw people waving palms for the Palm Sunday liturgy as the bishop, who represented Christ, led a procession through the congregation at the start of the liturgy. Today, Catholic Christians continue this tradition, recalling the triumphal entry of Jesus into the great city of Jerusalem shortly before his death on the cross. The prayer texts, hymns and scriptures for this day reflect the drama of how Jesus went from being hailed as king to being condemned to death on the cross. Why did Jesus die on the cross? Catholics believe that Jesus was both human and divine. In Him a bridge was formed between God and humanity. Although he had power to escape death, Jesus was obedient to the will of his heavenly Father — that he should die for the sins of humanity. This reversed the disobedience of Adam and Eve. Jesus, the sinless Son of God, surrendered His life and became the sacrificial Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. This is what Catholics celebrate not only on Palm Sunday but also at every celebration of the Mass. When Catholics sing “hosanna in the highest” before the Eucharistic prayer, they celebrate the entrance of that same King into the Mass in the form of the Eucharist. Thus, there is a little bit of Palm Sunday at every Mass.

The Rev. James Barnum, pastor, Bellmore Presbyterian Church

When Jesus Christ rode on a donkey into the Holy City of Jerusalem, the people of the ancient city cried out, “Hosanna. Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord.” (Matthew 21:9) This sentence is at the heart of our Holy Communion services. On Palm Sunday, we Christians are called to remember the very beginning of Jesus’ last week on Earth, called Holy Week. In the ancient world, a king would conquer a city on horseback, but the King would ride into the conquered city on a donkey, bringing peace. On the first Palm Sunday the crowds were crying out for a savior to overthrow the tyranny of the powers of evil and sin in their world. They did not like their Roman occupiers, who heavily taxed them. On Palm Sunday the crowds cheered and welcomed Jesus by throwing palms at His feet as He rode on a donkey. The next day, Jesus drove out the money changers from the Temple, reminding us all that God’s house of worship is a “House of prayer for all people.” (Matthew 21:13) Eventually, the crowds turned against Jesus, which led to his trials, flogging and crucifixion by the Romans on Good Friday. Palms are given out in our western world churches, which remind the faithful of Jesus’ passion and willingness to demonstrate such love to all people, who can be so fickle. We keep the palms for one year, and they are burned, reminding us, “from dust we were created and to dust we shall return.” (Genesis 3:19) Those palm ashes are used for the next Ash Wednesday, as we begin Lent, the season that takes us to back to Palm Sunday.

The Rev. Wendy C. Modeste, pastor, United Methodist Church of Bay Shore

Palm Sunday culminated Jesus’ earthly ministry as he entered the holy city of Jerusalem amid cheers and the waving of palm leaves by crowds that came to see him. Soon, however, the same crowd that hailed him as king would cry out that he should be killed. Palm Sunday marks the start of Passion Week because Jesus willingly demonstrated his passion for humanity. It was his love for us that propelled him to the cross. Jesus’ purpose was to take our place and suffer the penalty of our sin. Through this act, he restored our relationship with God. It looked hopeless on Good Friday, when Jesus was crucified and buried in a tomb. But as Christians, our faith does not waver because his death as a common criminal on Golgotha is followed by his triumphant resurrection. The week that begins with Palm Sunday is the essence of Christian belief. A ministry of love was cut short by crucifixion, but Jesus’ resurrection more than 2,000 years ago gives faith and hope to people today.