Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday are two of the most celebrated observances in the Christian religion. They bookend the holiest week of the Christian calendar — Holy Week — and are deeply connected to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
“Sometimes I wonder what the story behind Palm Sunday is,” said senior Etienne Ferrell.
Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week. It commemorates Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, riding on a donkey, as multitudes scattered palm branches and cloaks in His path. The event was one of joy as well as prophecy. The jubilant crowd saw Jesus as a king, fulfilling a prophecy found in the Old Testament. But within days, that same multitude would be calling for His death.
“What does Palm Sunday commemorate?” asked junior Ernesto Losada.
Palm Sunday is observed by churches around the world through palm processions and special readings from the Gospels. It is a day that looks both toward joy and the sorrow soon to come. A week later, Easter Sunday stands as the cornerstone of Christian belief. It celebrates Jesus’ resurrection, three days after His crucifixion on Good Friday. To Christians, the resurrection is proof of Jesus’ divinity and the promise of eternal life. It transforms the tragedy of the cross into a triumph over sin and death.
“What does the Easter celebration include?” asked junior Sabrina Diaz-Balart.
Easter services are usually the most well-attended of the year. They feature lively music, bright flowers, and the joyful cry, “Christ is risen!” The Easter message is one of hope — a reminder that light will triumph over darkness. Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday together tell a story of faith, betrayal, sacrifice, and renewal. Palm Sunday invites reflection on human unpredictability and the choice of Jesus. Easter Sunday offers the promise of redemption through suffering. For Christians, these holidays are more than just dates on a calendar — they are moments to rediscover the true essence of Christianity.
In a world often marked by doubt, Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday remind the faithful of a message that has endured for over two millennia: love is more powerful than hate, and life is more powerful than death.
