"Blessed" Palm Leaves

Today is Palm Sunday and I felt like writing this for Catholics out there. Granted, the COVID-19 epidemic is still ongoing so probably we're not getting as many "blessed" palm leaves in contrast to before the lockdown happened. The problem of believing that Catholic priests "save" souls has created yet another day of superstition namely Palm Sunday. Palm Sunday is supposed to celebrate the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem. I don't deny the homily every Palm Sunday from a Catholic mass is about that triumphal entry. However, these palm leaves unknowingly overshadow the real reason for the Lenten Season - our Lord Jesus. 

As a former Catholic, I remembered the time that I tore some palm leaves and was scolded for committing alleged blasphemy. Another moment was when our helpers were scolded for burning the blessed palm leaves because they were "sacred". However, these "blessed" palm leaves eventually shriveled and became dried palm leaves. I guess nobody in our Catholic household (that also adhered to Taoist and Buddhist superstitions) really knew of the proper way that palm leaves were to be disposed of. 

Aleteia reveals this way of how to dispose of "blessed" palm leaves:

Whatever you do, don’t throw them away!

According to the Code of Canon Law, blessed items are not to be discarded in a trash can, but treated with respect (cf. #1171). At Mass these palm branches were set apart by a blessing from the priest and made into a “sacramental,” an object that is meant to draw us closer to the celebration of the seven sacraments. Throwing them in the trash ignores their sacred purpose and treats them like any other object we no longer need.

Decorate

Over the years many people have used palm branches to decorate their homes. It could be as simple as tucking them behind a religious painting or crucifix, or as complex as a making them into a palm rose. Lacy at CatholicIcing.com has some excellent ideas on what you can do with your old palm branches, and she provides step-by-step instructions anyone can follow. 

The benefit of using them as decorative pieces in your home is that the palm branches will be a constant reminder of Palm Sunday and bring to mind the Passion narrative that was read at Mass. This is a perfect way to stay connected to Holy Week throughout the year and honor Christ as the Messiah who came to save us from sin and death. 

Burn or bury 

Most sacramentals, like palm branches for example, can be burned or buried in order to properly dispose of them. This type of disposal honors their sacred purpose and returns them to the earth in a dignified way. Anyone can do this, but if you don’t have the ability to burn or bury them, simply drop off your palm branches at the parish office. 

Often priests will encourage the faithful to return palm branches to the church so that he can burn the branches and make ashes for Ash Wednesday. This way the liturgical year remains connected and nothing goes to waste.

The big problem of these "blessed" palm leaves is that some people are now unknowingly treating them with much reverence due to God and God alone. A Catholic may object that they don't worship the palm leaves like how animists worship nature. However, regarding these palm leaves as holy is already superstition. Some of these palm leaves are being used on the altar which may soon attract pests. Soon enough, flies may lay eggs on them but some Catholics have gone too far to still put it there. Some Catholics have gone too far as not to even give the withered palm leaves respectful disposal (such as burning or burial) or may have forgotten their parish priest tells them to kindly return them over. 

Catholics really need to start their searching. These "blessed" palm leaves are simply covering their eyes from the One who triumphantly entered Jerusalem as the final Passover. This superstition of "blessed" palm leaves is another reason why I'd say the difference between Catholic and born-again Christian is very far. It's not just a matter of interpretation. This superstition has no place in any healthy, Bible-believing household.