The Final Week of Lent

Yesterday was Palm Sunday for Christians around the world.  A day that commemorates Jesus coming into Jerusalem.  He rode a donkey, a sign of peace and gentleness, and was greeted by palms and cloaks laid down before him.

In the Christian faith, it marks the last week of Jesus’s life and begins the most holiest week in the Church.

At the entrances of churches there are palms that you bring in with you.  The priest or pastor then blesses the palms and the mass or service continues.

Palm Sunday begins the final week of almsgiving, prayer and fasting for the lenten season.  It is all called Passion Sunday as the Passion of Jesus is read.

Most places celebrate with palms but in Latvia they have a tradition of using pussy willows.  The day is called Pussy Willow Sunday rather than Palm Sunday.

At almost the same time Passover has begun for our Jewish friends.  The holiday began with a seder on Saturday night and will continue for seven days.

Both those of the Christian and Jewish faiths have so much in common and often the two holidays come around the same time of year.

For Christians, the upcoming week continues with Holy or Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.  Thursday commemorates the last supper of Jesus and Friday mourns his death.

Next Sunday will be a day of joy as Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus for Christians around the world.

Private Home Health Care wishes our Christian and Jewish friends a blessed week ahead.