SUMMARY: Great job! In the Gospel reading, we see Jesus enter Jerusalem for the last time. He rode a humble donkey (colt) into the city. The people put their coats on the road to carpet the path and waved palms in greeting. They were excited to see him and shouted, "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!" (Matthew 21:9; Luke 19:38). We repeat these words at Mass when we say the Eucharistic prayer. Palm branches are widely recognized as symbols of peace and victory, which is why they are used on Palm Sunday. The use of a donkey instead of a horse is highly symbolic, as it represents the humble arrival of someone in peace, as opposed to arriving on a steed in war. During Palm Sunday, Mass will begin with the Procession of Palms. Everyone will receive a palm. The palms are blessed and many people will fashion them into small crosses or other items of personal devotion. This week you will also have a chance, at the end of this lesson, to create your own palm branch and begin your own Holy Week journey. A journey that will allow you to walk with Jesus to the cross, to the tomb and on to victorious life!