Palm Sunday begins Holy Week with the remembrance of the triumphant entrance of the Lord Jesus into Jerusalem, riding on a donkey as the crowds hailed Him with acclamations. “Hosanna to the Son of David.” On Palm Sunday, like those who witnessed the Lord resolutely enter Jerusalem, we praise God, who has given us our Savior, who intentionally entered Jerusalem to accomplish the Paschal Mystery for us. In emulation of the entrance of Christ into Jerusalem, Palm Sunday’s procession celebrates God’s determination to save humanity from sin.

At the conclusion of Mass, we take palm branches as a reminder that we are a people whom God has saved by the death and resurrection of the Lord. By faith, we walk with Christ, who goes into Jerusalem to battle for us.