PALM SUNDAY

1
PALM SUNDAY

• Introduction
• History
• Liturgy Matters
• Readings
• In my own words

2
Introduction

• Palm Sunday as part of Holy Week
• Focus
• Different layers
• OT prophecy
• Expectation of the Jews
• Expectation of the Disciples
• Mind of Jesus
• Our Expectations

3
History

• Significance of Palm branches
• Ancient times symbol of victory and
  triumph
• NT symbol of martyrdom
• Ps 91 represents Paradise
• 4th century symbol of Resurrection foinix
  phoenix

4
History (cont)

• 1st c. one of 12 Major Feasts
• 5th c. practice in Jerusalem
• By 600 AD name of Palm Sunday
• 8th c. Rite of Blessing of Palms
• Middle Ages Procession of Palms
• 1955 Reform of Holy Week

5
Liturgy Matters

• Paradox desolation and exaltation
• Kenosis key to understanding paradox
• Assembly threshold nature
• Procession journey with Jesus
• Ending open ended

6
Readings

• Sequence
• Gospel Mk 111-10 Procession with Palms
• 1st Reading Is 504-7 3rd
  servant song
• 2nd Reading Phil 26-11
• Gospel Mk 151-39

7
1st Reading

• 3rd servant song discipleship, teaching
• Sufferings overcome by meekness
  faith
• Our struggles // Christs
• Trust
• Solidarity with marginalised

8
2nd Reading

• Liturgical Hymn in Judeo-Christian Church
• v.6 Divine Pre-existence
• v.7 Humiliation of Incarnation
• v.8 Humiliation of Death
• v.9 Celestial Exaltation
• v.10 Adoration by the Universe
• v.11 Jesus New Title Kyrios
• Kenosis
• Thankfulness
• The story of Holy Week in miniature

9
Gospel

• Gods presence a great discovery
• Trust
• Conversion

10
In my own words

• Baptism, moment of victory
• Dilemma of temptations
• Distress of suffering
• Individual choice
• Jesus, our model
• Self-emptying and exaltation