God’s Donkey

This upcoming Sunday we join the whole Church greeting Jesus as he descended into Jerusalem down the Mount of Olives to celebrate the Passover.  With raised palms and singing “Hosanna to the Son of David,” we joyfully go out to meet our Savior who approaches sitting on a donkey.

Donkeys are not among the most beautiful of God’s creatures.  To be called a donkey is not a flattering thing.  Yet a poor, lowly donkey became the throne of Jesus as he entered triumphantly into Jerusalem.  This humble entrance fulfills the prophecy of old that the Messiah would come into Jerusalem riding on a donkey.

The Spaniard Saint Josemaria Escriva de Balaguer praises the virtues of the donkey that are worthy to imitate.  He writes in The Forge, “donkeys are humble, hard-working, persevering – stubborn! – and faithful, with a sure step, though and – if they have a good master – also grateful and obedient.”

On the other hand, English poet G.K. Chesterton notes the folly of the donkey in his beautiful poem “The Donkey.”  After recognizing his ugliness and awkwardness, the donkey reveals to the reader a great secret, that one day long ago he had a triumphant moment when people acclaimed him with shouts and lay palms before his feet.  The donkey mistakenly thinks the praises directed to Jesus during his entry into Jerusalem were for him.  Now, that’s a foolish donkey.

The donkey of the Gospel teaches us a great lesson.  We must be like a donkey, humble, hard-working, faithful and obedient while recognizing that all that we are and have has been given to us by God.  We cannot appropriate for ourselves what belongs to God, if not we risk becoming fools like the donkey in Chesterton’s poem.  Becoming Jesus’ donkey, God’s donkey, is a worthy role.  It means working hard for God’s Kingdom, being obedient to the Master and crediting God for the blessings of your life.

Saint Josemaria recommends the following prayer, “Dear Jesus, you have made me be your little donkey.  Please don’t leave me and I will stay with you always.  Lead me, tightly harnessed by your grace: you have led me by the halter, make me do your Will, and so I will love you forever and ever.