KUCHING: Churches across Sarawak come alive on Palm Sunday with the sound of hymns and the rustle of palm leaves, marking the beginning of the most sacred week in the Christian calendar – Holy Week.
For the faithful, this day is not just a commemoration, but a spiritual journey that reflects the profound love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Association of Churches in Sarawak (ACS) Chairman, Right Reverend Datuk Danald Jute, said Palm Sunday signifies the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, an event that marked the beginning of His final earthly journey to crucifixion.
“This is the beginning of Holy Week, also called Passion Week, that led Jesus to His crucifixion on Good Friday. His death is for our salvation, and the proof of His victory over death is in His resurrection, which we celebrate on Easter Sunday,” he said.
Churches and chapels throughout Sarawak will hold special services to mark the occasion.
He said these services will include the blessing and distribution of palm branches and palm crosses, symbols of Jesus’ triumph and humility, alongside scriptural readings recounting the biblical Palm Sunday narrative.
“In the Gospel of John, the cheering crowd laid palm branches on Jesus’ path as a sign of respect and recognition of His kingship. Yet, Jesus entered the city not on a grand steed, but on a humble colt which is an image that reflects the essence of Jesus as the ‘Servant King’.
“The event of Palm Sunday gives us a clear understanding of who our Lord Jesus is – Almighty God, yet humble and willing to suffer and die for our sake,” he said.
He urged all celebrating to observe the day with sincere devotion.
“Let us observe this Palm Sunday with great devotion by drawing nearer to God. As we take the palm crosses home, let us remember the cross on which our Lord Jesus suffered and died so we might live eternally,” he said.
Meanwhile, vicar of St Francis’s Parish in Kota Samarahan, Reverend Kelvin Jawa, describes Palm Sunday as the foreshadowing of a more important triumphant event – the resurrection of Jesus celebrated on Easter Sunday.
“For me personally, Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, where we reflect on Jesus’ final days leading to His death on the Cross – the single most significant moment in human history,” he said.
At St Francis’ Parish, preparations for Palm Sunday begin the day before with a ‘gotong-royong’ involving the entire congregation.
Members of the women’s fellowship lead the effort in weaving 2,000 palm crosses, which will be distributed across three Palm Sunday services.
The parish’s 14 chapels will also hold their own spiritual communion or Eucharistic services, following a similar spirit of community preparation.
However, beyond the palm crosses and processionals, Jawa hopes the congregation reflects on the deeper meaning of the day.
“I hope everyone sees the love of our Lord Jesus Christ – who bravely entered Jerusalem knowing He would suffer and die. He did this out of love for His Father and for all of us.
“This is the ultimate act of love. As John 3:16 reminds us, ‘For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life’,” he said.
