The Palm Sunday Gospel readings are the recounting of the full passion of Christ from the events of the Last Supper til the Crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ.
But for this reflection we look at the opening passage in the mass where Jesus directs his disciples to go procure the donkey for His triumphant entrance into Jerusalem.
He tells them to “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’”
It seems almost like an insignificant detail of the whole Passion narrative but it is striking to me in its own humble way.
Firstly, if Jesus wanted to ride victorious into town like a new King of the day, he would have come riding in with a war horse with an army for support, fully decked out in armour and power. But he chose the humble image of coming into town on a donkey.
Secondly, they had to borrow the donkey for this excursion, which meant that they never had the resources to own one in the first place. For he told them “If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’”
I’m not sure if they had COEs at that time but obviously owning an animal for transportation wasn’t a cheap affair. Hence we can tell that Jesus and His disciples were truly humble in manner and living.
And of course, the most important line in the preceding events where Jesus says ”Nevertheless I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the day following; for it cannot be that a prophet should perish away from Jerusalem.’” (Luke 13:33)
Jesus knew He was going to give up His life in Jerusalem. He went in humility to the Father’s will.
I guess the question for us, once we’re re-connected back to Church, and we start to see God’s promptings, or His hints in the God-moments of our lives. Will we be able to do the same in humility and obedience to the Father’s will.
Let us ponder upon this on Palm Sunday and pray for the grace to allow Jesus to ride victorious into our hearts and our lives. He alone can inspire and help us to achieve this goal.
Digital Bytes... 