Over the last few years, theologian Kate Bowler has posted a series of reflections for today, Palm Sunday and they all focus on the donkey in the familiar Biblical scene.
Entry of Christ into Jerusalem by Anthony van Dyck - 1617
In one Kate writes about the plodding steps of the donkey on which Jesus rode into Jerusalem. He didn't speed into town in a chariot pulled by galloping powerful horses. No, he moved forward in slow small steps on an ordinary animal.
The dedicated work of doctors moves humanity forward. My Dad delivered thousands of babies during his long medical career. - Photo credit- Jim Peters
Kate reminds us on Palm Sunday to think about all those who move humanity slowly forward with their dedicated work in hospitals, schools, homes, grocery stores and transportation services. The crowds may be shouting "Save us" in a loud and garish way as they did on Palm Sunday but the dedication of these ordinary people plodding forward like the donkey with their important work may hold the key to humanity's salvation.
The Donkey, an illustration by John Vernon Lord for GK Chesterton's poem 'The Donkey'
In another reflection on Palm Sunday Kate quotes a poem by C. K. Chesterton called The Donkey. It describes how ugly the donkey looks with his "monstrous head and sickening cry and ears like errant wings." People often deride the donkey and doubt its intelligence.
But Chesterton reminds us that a donkey was the mode of transportation Jesus used to enter Jerusalem. The animal we might least expect to do so stepped centre stage and played an important role as Jesus moved towards his destiny.
Who would have expected a young schoolgirl disfigured by bullets in Pakistan to win the Nobel Prize and be a leading advocate for girls' education and world peace?- photo of Malala Yousafzai from the cover of her autobiography - I Am Malala
In her reflection on Chesterton's poem Kate Bowler uses the donkey as a symbol of the upside-down kingdom Jesus talked about as he championed the poor, the outcast, the marginalized, and the grieving. He called them blessed. He said someday they'd come first.
We never know what unlikely candidate will step centre stage to provide hope and healing to the world.
Palm Sunday by Chinese artist He Qi
The donkey might not be the first thing that draws our eye in Palm Sunday scenes. But maybe it should be.
Other posts.........
Easter - A Time of New Beginnings
Easter Retrospective
Chreaster
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