By Canon Cate Edmonds
We have two palm trees, a tall stately tree in the back garden and a shorter branched one in the front garden. Though different in shape and size, I believe they are both Cornish Palms, a nickname for the plant scientifically known as Cordyline Australis. Originally, from New Zealand but seen particularly in this part of England where our weather is milder. As I have found they can cope with the occasional harsh winter we might have. In fact, several years ago during ‘the beast from the east’ we had several inches of snow. I videoed and posted on Facebook our black and white collie dogs chasing each other around and around the palm tree, which was standing proudly in the snow, its palm branches laden with snow. A friend in America seeing this replied, “only in England would you see the anomaly of a palm tree in the snow”.
On Sunday we celebrate Palm Sunday, Jesus Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Palm trees, very different varieties from our trees, were stripped of their branches strewn on the ground with cloaks or waved in the air in celebration as Jesus Christ rode into Jerusalem on a lowly donkey. The crowds cheered and shouted, “Hosanna to the King of David, Hosanna to the King of Kings.” There was joy and delight at the entry of this man; the teacher who had been bringing good news, the healer who cured blindness, raised people from the dead and cast out demons. This was the man who made amazing statements that all were equal, all were loved and accepted by God, whether Jew or Gentile, whether slave or free, whether short or tall. The crowd rejoiced to see him, but there was an undercurrent. Those in authority who were afraid that they were losing control, that their power was being challenged. As quickly as the crowd was whipped up to cheer, they were soon to be whipped up to jeer only a few days later as was seen at the trail of Jesus
In our services on Palm Sunday, we begin with the celebration, the cheering and the joy, the waving of palms. As the service progresses, we turn to the Passion of Christ, we walk in scripture through the Way of the Cross. The symbolism is very powerful, and it has been the custom that the service ends quietly, and the people leave in deep reflection to travel through Holy Week with Christ.
Our palm trees are a joy. In the winter they drop their fronds regularly and I wonder if they will survive cruel winds and sometimes snow. But they perk up again in Spring; new growth, new colour, new life. The symbolism of our palm trees strikes me as we celebrate Palm Sunday. There is joy in seeing them cast shade in the Summer, (which our dogs appreciate). Then sadness as the fronds drop in the winter then joy again in spring as they perk up once more. It reminds me of Holy Week, the joy of the entry at the beginning the week, then moving into sadness of the trial and crucifixion and joy, new life, returns at the resurrection.
As we move through Holy Week from joy to sadness then back to joy, let us, like my palm trees, stand firm in our faith, when storms hit, even the ‘beasts’ of life, endure them as the psalmist writes, “You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures for evermore.” As we travel through Holy Week let us reflect on how God through Christ has brought us through the storms of life and continues to do so if we hold firm to our faith.
May I take this opportunity to wish you a joyful and blessed Easter.