For Christians around the world, this is a special week as we mark what is sometimes called “Holy Week” — remembering the final week of the life of Jesus Christ.
As I write, I’m listening to Rob Gardner’s “Lamb of God.”** You can listen to the music online. It always helps my heart and mind feel more of the spirit of Easter and Holy Week.
In Holy Week celebrations, today is Palm Sunday. From Matthew 21:
1 And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,
2 Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me.
3 And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them.
4 All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying,
5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.
6 And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them,
7 And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon.
8 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.
9 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.
10 And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this?
11 And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.
This week one way members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints…and others…are invited to celebrate Holy Week is to ponder what we can do, #Starting today.
“Each step He takes is celebrated, for He is about to culminate a journey that fulfills thousands of years of prophecy and will bring peace and salvation to all with the faith to follow Him. This Holy Week, we can take the first steps to make a positive change in our lives, knowing that Jesus prepared the way for us.”
Holy Week — Palm Sunday (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/comeuntochrist/easter-2021/holy-week-day-1-palm-sunday)
At a website called “We Talk of Christ, We Rejoice in Christ,” Jocelyn shares more about the symbolism of the palm fronds laid at the Savior’s feet. Understanding how significant and critical to life the palm tree was to ancient Israel can invite us to do as they did, to
“[lay] down symbols of wordly goods, both necessities and luxuries, that they were willing to lay at Christ’s feet to welcome him into their city, to praise, and to worship their Lord and Master.
“In our day, there is a parallel. We each have palms to lay at the feet of the Master, in order to praise and worship him, and to bid him enter our hearts. In offering up these palms, we will truly come to “love the Lord God” with all of our heart.”
Palms for the Lord, by Jocelyn (https://www.wetalkofchrist.com/2011/04/palms-for-lord-my-talk-on-worshiping.html)
For your Holy Week reflections, you can download a free booklet called The Savior’s Invitation. It includes quotes about such topics as faith in Jesus Christ, about turning to Christ, about finding His help in times of trouble, and seeking His help to grow and seek to become more like Him.
And below are a few past posts from our site about Palm Sunday.
Hosanna! Reflections on Palm Sunday
More Reflections on the Triumphal Entry
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**This year, because of COVID-19, this amazing artistic creation has been turned into a film.
