Stories

A Palm Sunday Welcome

By Bonnie Davidson

Mara sat in her pew, listening to Father Stan talk about the Palm Sunday story. As she listened, she pulled off a piece of the palm leaf she held. Mara imagined people in robes and sandals waving palms and laying them on the path before Jesus as he rode into the city. If you thought about it, it was kind of like the way pop stars and actors are treated today. She imagined that if any of the people knew about autographs, they would have been asking Jesus for one!

Mara’s mom nudged her with an elbow and whispered, “Pay attention,” which was annoying because she was paying attention. She looked up at Father but continued to peel another strip of palm the same size as the first. Then she folded and tucked the strips until she had made a cross.

Father Stan was talking about why Jesus was so popular with the common people. It was not only because of the miracles and healings, but also because he was so kind and welcoming to everyone. The priest said that this was something everyone could do. Everyone could try to be more thoughtful of others.

Mara looked down at the palm cross and turned it over and over in her hand as an idea formed. Her mom tapped her arm and murmured, “Stop fiddling.”

When Mara’s family got home after church, Mara asked everyone to give her their palm leaves. Then she went to work in her room. For the next hour she peeled strips of palm, folding and tucking them into crosses. When her mom called upstairs to tell her it was time to go visit Grandma at the nursing home, she was ready.

Usually, Mara secretly dreaded visiting her grandmother. The nursing home wasn’t exactly a fun place; it was too quiet, and the elderly patients seemed to sleep a lot. But today, armed with a small paper bag full of gifts, Mara was excited.

“Hi, Grandma.” She leaned down and hugged her grandmother’s frail shoulders and kissed her papery cheek. “I brought you something from church.” Mara presented one of her crosses, tied at one end with a scrap of ribbon.

“Thank you, sweetheart. It’s beautiful.” Grandma ran her thumb over smooth palm. “I’ll treasure it.” She lifted her face and Mara gave her another kiss.

Mara waved her paper bag. “I’ve got tons more. Do you think people will want them?”

“So that’s what you’ve been doing since church.” Mara’s mom smiled and gave her a wink. “I guess you were paying attention.”

Mara went through the nursing home with her mother, passing out her Palm Sunday gifts and collecting a lot of hugs and kisses from people she didn’t even know. She thought she knew how Jesus must have felt when everybody was so happy to see him come to town.

It was a good beginning to Holy Week!

To learn how to make the palm crosses that Mara makes in the story, click here!

My Friend Home
Movie Reviews | Music Reviews | Stories | Are You Bugged?
Between Friends | Saints in the Spotlight