A decade ago I took this picture of a palm tree growing in my grandfather’s backyard:

He’s gone now, but he died in the faith so I shall see him again.

Though I doubt the palm branches dropped by the crowds in the story of the original “Palm Sunday” were cut from coconut palms, I’m still reminded of the following historic occasion of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem when I see the graceful fronds of a palm:

As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’”

They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,

“Hosanna!”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

“Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!”

“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.

-Excerpt from the Gospel According to Mark, chapter 11.

Have a wonderful Palm Sunday, beloved readers. May you all know the truth and may it set you free.