The palms of Palm Sunday will either continue to be used as palms to praise the Lord or they will be burned to become the ashes of Ash Wednesday. They symbolize the best and worst possibilities for Holy Week.
Our palms turn to ashes when:
Our palms remain as palms, and perhaps even our ashes return to palms when:
In heaven, the saints stand "before the throne and the Lamb, dressed in long white robes and holding palm branches in their hands" (Rv 7:9). Some palms and Palm Sundays last forever. Yours can as well. With the heavenly saints, hold your palms and cry out "in a loud voice: 'Salvation is from our God, Who is seated on the throne, and from the Lamb!' " (Rv 7:10)
| PRAYER: | "Father, into Your hands I commend My spirit" (Lk 23:46). |
| PROMISE: | "This day you will be with Me in paradise." –Lk 23:43 |
| PRAISE: | "Blessed is He Who comes as King in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" (Lk 19:38) |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College