Believers journey into Jerusalem

CHRISTIANS throughout the country celebrated Palm Sunday on March 24, which marks the start of the Holy Week in the lead-up to Easter.
Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on a donkey.
As Jesus entered the city, crowds greeted him by waiving palm branches, which is where the name Palm Sunday originated from.
For parishioners of the St Michaels Catholic church in Morobe’s Lae, parish priest Fr Jomi Chaneparambil explained the importance of people waving palms and Jesus riding a donkey.
“For almost 1,000 years from the time of David to Jesus, the people of Israel were dominated by one superpower, other than the Romans.

‘Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!’ (Matthew 21:9)

“In the year 142 BC, Simon, a brother of Judas, took possession of Jerusalem and when Simon enters Jerusalem, people will be carrying palms.
“This symbolises great victory and the liberation of the people of Israel,” Fr Jomi said.
He said Jesus riding a young donkey, and not the horse or a chariot, simply displays his humbleness.
“Jesus knew the intention of the people, therefore, he did not want to ride on a horse or a chariot like what everyone expected, rather he rode a young donkey into Jerusalem.”
Based on the reading in Zechariah 9:9, (former) Pope Benedict had said: “This passage announces a poor king – a king whose rule does not depend on political and military might. His inmost being is humility and meekness.”
Fr Jomi urged everyone to be humble and welcome the Holy Week with humility and meekness.
Catholics of the But parish in East Sepik’s Wewak west coast also celebrated Palm Sunday.
Today (Thursday) is known as Holy Thursday or Maundy Thursday.
According to an article in the Oklahoman, Holy Thursday is often used interchangeably with Maundy Thursday, as the word comes from a phrase spoken at the Last Supper, which Holy Thursday commemorates.
The Last Supper, recognised on Holy Thursday, refers to the last meal Jesus ate with his disciples prior to his trial and crucifixion, around the time of the Hebrew Passover.
During the meal, He used wine and bread to represent His body and blood, blessing it and giving it to His disciples, laying the foundation of what would become the Eucharist, according to Alimentarium.
Jesus also washed the feet of His disciples and shared a foreshadowing of Judas’ betrayal at the Garden of Gethsemane.
Good Friday, the Friday before Easter, is dedicated to commemorating the death of Jesus Christ at Calvary. Considered the ultimate sacrifice, Jesus died for the sins of others by crucifixion and was later laid to rest at a nearby tomb.
Easter, also called Pascha or Resurrection Sunday, is the holiest day in the Christian calendar.
It is a celebration of the most central tenet of the Christian faith – that Jesus Christ resurrected from the dead.
Christians in Papua New Guinea and throughout the world celebrate the day with church services and prayer.