Jesus proceeded on his journey up to Jerusalem. As he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples.
He said, "Go into the village opposite you, and as you enter it you will find a colt tethered on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it here. And if anyone should ask you, 'Why are you untying it?' you will answer, 'The Master has need of it.' "
So those who had been sent went off and found everything just as he had told them. And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, "Why are you untying this colt?"
They answered, "The Master has need of it."
So they brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks over the colt, and helped Jesus to mount.
As he rode along, the people were spreading their cloaks on the road; and now as he was approaching the slope of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of his disciples began to praise God aloud with joy for all the mighty deeds they had seen.
They proclaimed: "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest."
Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples."
He said in reply, "I tell you, if they keep silent, the stones will cry out!"
REFLECTION
Can you believe we are now entering the Holiest of Weeks? March 5th, Ash Wednesday seems to have been a long time ago. Did we keep our Lenten resolutions? Have we drawn closer to God during this time?
Donkeys are mentioned quite a few times in the Bible as well as in pious legends: a donkey carrying Mary to Bethlehem before she gives birth to Jesus. One carrying her and Jesus during the flight to Egypt. In today's procession Gospel we read how a donkey carries Jesus through Jerusalem.
One of these stories is the one about this last donkey. As he processed through Jerusalem he sees how people lay palm branches and their coats before them. He really likes the attention and hubris fills him up as he thinks the shouts of praise are intended for him. The next day he goes around town fully expecting the same treatment only to be met with the disdain of the people. What do you think would be the lesson of this fable? How does the attitude of the donkey apply to ourselves?
Let us pray to God for the gift of humility, and for gratefulness for all the gifts He gives us all the time.
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