Palm Sunday: What does it mean?
With most people simply looking forward to the long weekend, the actual significance of the Easter holiday might be lost amid vacation preparations. On Sunday, churchgoers from various congregations received palm fronds that had been blessed, signalling the end of Lent. News 5’s Ann-Marie Williams explains the meaning behind the tradition.
Ann-Marie Williams, Reporting
Yesterday, Christian around the world celebrated Palm Sunday; the day when Jesus made his triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
In Belize City, a seven-year tradition between the Methodists and the Anglicans continued with the blessing and distribution of palms at the Sandlighter’s Promenade. Reverend C. David Goff is the President of the Methodist Church.
Reverend C. David Goff, Pres. Methodist Church
“We have built up our tradition between the congregations of the Ebenezer Methodist circuit, and the All Saints Anglican Church, to have these joint celebrations of Palm Sunday, whereby we meet at a central location, have a joint blessing of the palms and distribution and then we launch into a procession of witness together. I think it’s very significant because it shows our ecumenical spirit, both the Anglicans and the Methodists working together to proclaim the one gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, which I think is very important in this day and time.”
Priest in charge of All Saint’s Parish, Father Philip Wright says the blessing and procession through the streets is significant.
Father Philip Wright, All Saints Parish
“The need to be unified, to be together. Especially in this day and age where the problems society is facing, a lot of it has do with the fact that we haven’t been able to come together as a community and share certain things together. So this for me is a good marker about the need for unity and to be able to do things together from time to time.”
And in case you might be wondering why people are parading in the rain and waving palms, according to Reverend Goff, it’s part of a Christian commemoration that should not be forgotten.
Revered C. David Goff
“Well in Jesus’ day, this was a very important day. This was the day he entered the Holy City, as everyone was looking for the long expected Messiah. And he came in fulfilment of our testament prophecy right down to the very way in which he entered, riding on a donkey. And so, the people recognised the man, they knew right away who he was and what he was portraying as he entered the city. And the only thing is that they did not realise his mission, they did not fully understand what his entering into the city entailed and involved. And that unfolded as the days progressed beyond Palm Sunday.
Ann-Marie Williams for News 5.
The procession ended at the Ebenezer Methodist and All Saint’s Churches, where the respective congregations celebrated Palm Sunday Service.
