Lent is a time for Humility
As they raised their palm branches welcoming this Jesus, the one who had for 3 years, proved time and time again that His miracles were real. His quotes from Scripture were real. That His existence, as the Son of God was real. We're met later with jeers and condemnation from their own mouths. The very same people who accepted Him, now rejecting Him.
The Palm branch represents Victory. It is a token of joy, peace and splendor. All in all, the palm branch represents Joy. The same symbol we all hold, in our Palm Sunday celebration. We stand there, welcoming Him just like the people that day, only to turn around and recant the words "crucify him". We are fickle to a God that is and has been so kind. We stand and watch Him walk to Calvary and hear His moanings as they drive those wretched nails into His body. We see the sorrow of His Mother and notice that She never takes Her eyes off of Him. The palms have become trampled on. In the haste to watch the very man whom they called Messiah, walk to His death.
We were there because our sins were there. Each sin stamped with our fingerprint. Identifying them as truly ours. We are no different than each of the characters that played out that fateful yet triumphant day. We are all Veronicas. We are all Judases. We are all Simons. We are the repentant criminal.
In this very significant moment today, hold those Palm branches with deeper meaning and remembrance. Think it not as just a yearly ritual but the reason for our Salvation. Today is Palm Sunday. Let the symbol of the Palm mean Rejoicing. But may it also remind us that we were also fallen people who have been redeemed by the very Precious Blood of Jesus Christ.