Palm and Cross
For Palm Sunday, the Lenten Table changed its cloth to red,
and Dad set down two things, just like Mom had said:
a small green palm (paper, folded neat),
and a wooden cross, smooth, not very sweet.
The note was short. It did not explain:
“LOVE STAYS TRUE THROUGH JOY AND PAIN.”
Rosa held the palm. “It feels like cheer!”
Leo held the cross. “It feels like fear.”
Dad nodded slow, “That’s how that week went.
Crowds shouted ‘Hosanna!’, then some hearts bent.”
A friend of Jesus chose silver and night,
but Jesus kept loving, kept doing what’s right.
He shared a meal, He washed dusty feet,
He prayed when His heart felt tired and beat.
Some people were mean. Some people ran.
Still, Jesus stayed close to God’s plan.
They made Him carry a heavy wood tree,
but even then, He cared tenderly.
“Father, forgive them,” Jesus would say,
even when everything looked gray.
When He died, the world felt hush and still,
like winter on a quiet hill.
Rosa whispered, “Is love gone now?”
Mom shook her head. “No way, no how.
Love is stronger than the darkest day.
Love doesn’t break. Love makes a way.”
So, they placed the palm beside the cross,
to show that love can win through loss.
And Dad said, “Kids, when Lent feels tough,
remember: Jesus’ love is always enough.”
They walked to Mass with palms held high,
and hope tucked safe, where hearts can try.
From the Lenten Table Series, inspired by Matthew 26:14—27:66 (Palm Sunday of the Passion).
