In Africa, the faithful also hold their palm branches in their hands during Mass, especially when the Sanctus is sung: "Hosanna, who comes in the name of the Lord.When there are more than 1000 people in the church, you can hear the wind rustling as everyone moves their branches. This is an image for the Holy Spirit, who breathes wherever people pray.
And today we are playing out what people did back then when they greeted Jesus.
We Christians today celebrate Palm Sunday as a feast with the knowledge that Jesus died and rose from the dead. We celebrate this every Sunday when we celebrate the Eucharist. Especially when we sing at the Sanctus: "Hosanna, he who comes in the name of the Lord".
But back then, Jesus' entry into Jerusalem was an illusion! People had the wrong idea about Jesus. The palms they carried were meant for a "king" who would free them from the oppression of the Romans. But that was not what Jesus wanted.
The people were all the more disappointed when Jesus did not establish the secular reign they had expected, but instead died on the cross.