Palm Sunday 2011

Today is Palm Sunday 2011. I was reminded when I passed by these palms for sale (not yet blessed of course) in the side walk on our way to the church that is near the hospital where we just came from. There were many vendors of such palms formed into crosses that people are buying to have them blessed.

Palm Sunday falls on the Sunday before Easter. It is the feast that commemorates Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. I see people placing or hanging these blessed palms on or above doorways and windows in front of their house. A belief that it will drive away bad spirits aside from its original meaning of welcoming Jesus into their homes.