The Multiplication of Palms (03/24/2024)

Yesterday, I went to church for Palm Sunday. As I entered, I looked for the palms. There weren’t any. I thought it odd; but in these modern times I’ve learned not to take odd personally. About five minutes before Mass was set to begin, the deacon began handing out palms to those already seated in the church.

After he went through, a family came to the pew in front of me, without palms. The oldest girl realized that everyone else had palms and began asking her mom where were their palms. I stood, walked closer to them, and handed her a palm because I’d been given two. She pointed to her mom in question. I looked down at my remaining palm and realized it was actually two. I tore them apart and gave the mom one. Then I sat back down.

Later, a family joined us and sat directly behind me. As we stood for the opening prayer and blessing of palms, I realized they had none. So, I gave the young girl mine. And then I felt a tap; the women next to me shared one of hers with me. It wasn’t neat nor expeditious, but all had palms.

Life can be like that, don’t you know. Life can be messy. Matthew Kelly noticed and wrote a book about it (Life if Messy). Most of us know it, too, because we’ve lived long enough to recognize that things don’t always unfold as if they were choreographed ahead of time. But we’ve been given the gifts of perception and discernment to help us along the way. Many times, it’s not what we hold in our hands that matters as much as what we hold in our heads and hearts as essential that really matters.

Yesterday there were enough palms to go around, they just weren’t distributed as such. But somehow, the Spirit moved over the crowd, and there was a shuffle of palms between individuals, that ended with everyone holding a palm. The LORD provides sometimes not with materials but with urges and sensitivity. Sometimes the LORD allows us to see what we have that could be more powerful if it is shared.

Most every community in America has enough. It isn’t the amount that is problematic, it is the distribution. This week, the holiest of weeks in the year, let us consider this. Who would have thought that one life given selflessly upon a cross could save all of humanity? Only those who understand the power of love lived would understand.

So, this week, as we contemplate the crucifix, we are urged to look about us at the need and to open ourselves to the power of love. We aren’t to be intimidated by the fear of “insufficiency.” Let us act out of love for love of our LORD and one another. Let us donate to the local food pantry. Let us reach out to a neighbor experiencing difficult times. Let us invite the man from church who recently lost his spouse to Easter dinner with our family. Let us share what we have with others, confident that there will be enough.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.