Why do we celebrate Palm Sunday and what does the blessing of the olive tree mean?

The olive and palm branches that are used in Palm Sunday celebration they are a symbol of God's blessing, protection and help. Tradition indicates that they must be placed on a crucifix or religious image to remind them that it is sacred. In addition, the liturgical color of the celebration is red, which represents the pbadion of the Lord.

The name of Domingo de Ramos is given to this day precisely because Jesus was endowed with countless bouquets of his disciples, especially of humble condition, while they were singing and applauding: "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! ";" Hosanna in the highest heaven! ".

The branches of olive and palm are also the sign par excellence of the renewal of faith in God. They also remember his proclamation as king of heaven and earth.

Christians see in this celebration the moment to proclaim Jesus as the fundamental pillar of their lives, just as the people of Jerusalem did when he received and declared him as a prophet, son of God and king.

For this reason, the Palm Sunday Eucharist has two important moments. The first is procession of palms and blessing from among them by the priest, while the second is reading the word that evokes this pbadion.

In his homily on Sunday, Pope Francis recalled the "double mystery" this accompanies the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Mystery of acclamation and humiliation, ferocious cruelty and party that took place at the two characteristic moments of this celebration.

"Triumphalism tries to reach the goal by shortcuts, false commitments. Look for the winner's car. Triumphalism lives by gestures and words that have not pbaded through the crucible of the cross; it feeds on comparison with others, always judging them worse, with faults, failures. A subtle form of triumphalism is spiritual worldliness, which is the greatest danger, the most treacherous temptation that threatens the Church. Jesus destroyed triumphalism with his pbadion ", he said.

The Holy Father explained that the Lord truly shared and rejoiced with the people, with the young people who shouted his name, cheering him as King and Messiah; and he's remembered that his heart loved to see the enthusiasm and the festival of the poor of Israel. "But at the same time, the heart of Christ is in another way, in a holy way that only the Father and himself know: the one who pbades from the condition of God to the condition of God. As a slave, he knows that to reach true triumph, to leave room for God, and to leave room for God, there is only one way: to undress, to empty oneself, to be silent, to pray and humble, "he concluded.

How the celebrations continue

The next important day of Holy Week is Holy Thursday, when we remember the blessing of the bread and wine of Jesus at the Last Supper and the washing of the feet of the apostles.

On Good Friday, the only day when there is no Mbad, we meditate on the Pbadion of the Lord, with the rite of worship of the Cross and a celebration of the Word and Communion.

The solemn Easter vigil is celebrated on Holy Saturday in the night and from that moment, Christians will live the joy of the resurrection of Christ, which will last fifty days.