Obviously the name for today comes from the branches that the people waved as Jesus rode into Jerusalem. A palm branch symbolized victory, especially military victory. Many of the people who greeted Jesus expected him to be a military Messiah, that is, one to overthrow the government. As we know, Jesus’ victory was of a different nature.
I want you to do something with your palms. Many of us struggle to do something creative with these leafy things. We have resources available after Mass today, if you want to learn some techniques for weaving. But I have seen people simply place a bunch of palm branches and stick them into a large glass vase which was attractive. We have plenty of palm branches so take as much as you want.
But I want you to consider a different kind of palm. That is, the things at the end of your wrist.
These palms also have symbolic meanings.
-Such as discarding something (e.g. “They palm off lots of junk to tourists.”)
-Or control (e.g. “He had the group in the palm of his hands.”)
-A stiff palm can mean to stop [demonstrate holding my palm upright].
-A closed palm can indicate [demonstrate] being ready to strike or to fight.
But an OPEN palm has universal meaning. Think of the famous song ON EAGLES’ WINGS, quoting from Psalm 91 [I sing it] “And hold you, hold you in the palm of his hands.” An open palm can signal openness, peace and acceptance. An outstretched palm indicates a welcome or an invitation, like in shaking hands.
Today we begin the Holiest Weeks of the year. All the liturgies are actually one continuous story that is broken up on different days. You can attend just one, or two, but also to show up for all the liturgies. Notice that all the liturgies have the palms of Jesus highlighted in some way.
On Holy Thursday, not only does Jesus take the bread and wine and blesses them, but he uses his hands to wash feet. On that night we are invited to use our palms in receiving the Eucharist and to go help one another, symbolized by our washing of feet. But remember, you don’t have to have your feet washed. Come and see.
On Good Friday noon service and and the Tenebrae service that night we recall how Jesus not only carries the cross, but ultimately open his palms to be crucified and die. Likewise we will be venerating the cross and hopefully opening our palms to trust in God with all our pain and suffering.
Saturday night is the Easter Vigil which is the highpoint of the church year. In ancient time, it was believed that Jesus would return on the Easter Vigil. We ritualize the stories of history and the power of light being stronger than darkness. We also renew our faith commitments as we confirm and welcome three new members into our faith family.
Easter morning is of course the traditional day of resurrection. We shall hear later on, that Jesus open his hands to show the disciples that it is really him. We encounter how God continues to break into our lives with hope and with the promise of a fresh start.
So here is a challenge for you . . . remember at the beginning of the homily, I asked you to do something with your palms? Well use the palms of your hands and reach out to someone and welcome them to our liturgies this week. Reach out and invite that person next door, or in your family.
St. Teresa of Avila says, “Christ has no hands but yours.” Use your hands, be the palms of invitation.