Thika Catholic Faithful Join Christians Worldwide To Mark Palm Sunday.

St Patrick's Catholic Church parishioners join the rest of the world in celebrating  #PalmSunday mass which marks the beginning of the holy week. Photos: by Wachira Njenge.

Christians in Thika on Sunday joined other faithful around the world to mark the feast of “Passion Sunday’’ also known as “Palm Sunday’’ with a call on Kenyans to embrace peace especially during this electioneering period. 

Close to 1000 parishioners of St. Patrick's Catholic Parish Thika commemorated the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem in a two hour long procession and mass that was administered by the Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Anslem Kamuyu.

In his sermon, Father Kamuyu called upon Christians to reflect upon the meaning of Lent drawing inspiration from the life & times of Jesus Christ. He advised Christians to imbibe humility, selflessness, peace and love for neighbour, as exhibited by Jesus Christ in his passion and death.

He said Jesus Christ’s passion and death on the cross was a perfect example of God’s love for man in spite of man’s stubbornness and disobedience to his commandments.

“The entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem on a donkey symbolised his humility and simplicity as a King, and this is what all Christians are urged to exhibit in their various callings,” he said.

Fr. Kamuyu called on Kenyans to maintain peace during the electioneering period. He urged Christians to always be guided by peace, “which is the true lesson of Jesus passion and death on the cross’’ noting that Kenya was in dire need of peace. 

The priest in his sermon urged Christians to be sober in their reflections during the holy week adding that the biggest message of Passion Sunday was that of peace adding that laying of palm branches on the streets for Christ to ride signified peace. He said that in spite of the suffering that Christ went through, he still called on his people to follow the path of peace, righteousness and sacrifice.

Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, a week that would end with Jesus death on Good Friday, followed by Easter Sunday.

The people of Jerusalem spread branches from trees on the road to welcome Jesus as he rode a donkey into the city. Because of this, many Christian churches today offer congregants palm fronds as they enter the church on Palm Sunday.

In some denominations, the story of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem and of his death is read in church on Palm Sunday, juxtaposing the welcome Jesus received on one day with his betrayal and arrest a few days later. 

For most Christians this week marks the culmination of a lifetime of sinless obedience to God, and the final five days of a teaching ministry that even the billions who do not claim the name of Christ must readily acknowledge changed the world forever.