A Reflection on Palms

Years of old palms are tucked behind a picture hanging on my bedroom wall. I love having the palms visible as they allow me to stay connected to Holy Week throughout the year. They remind me of how palm branches were waved and laid on the road to Jerusalem celebrating Jesus’ triumphant entry into the city prior to His Passion, death, and resurrection.

My accumulation of palms has occurred because as a sacramental they must be treated with respect. Although I intercepted many in-pew sword fights on Palm Sunday when my kids were little, it did present a teaching opportunity about the sacredness of blessed items. Once an item is blessed, whether it be a palm, rosary, or religious medal, it is considered dedicated to God and, when no longer needed, should be returned to God by being burned or buried. Sacramentals cannot just be tossed out with the garbage.

I am happy that old palms are being collected by our parishes during the month of March to be burned and returned to the earth. This allows me to dispose of my withered ones and make room for the fresh reminder on Palm Sunday of Christ’s Paschal Victory over sin. The collection bin for palms, which ends this weekend, can be found near the elevator at St. Martha and near the entrances at St. Mary.

Linda Olsen, rectory receptionist and St. Martha parishione