UNTYING OUR DONKEYS

Homily for Palm Sunday, Year A

Fr. Ugochukwu Ugwoke, ISch

Scriptural Texts: Isaiah 50:4-7, Philippians 2:6-11, Matthew 21:1-11, Matthew 26:14-27:66

The celebration of Palm Sunday marks the beginning of the Holy Week. Today’s celebration commemorates Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem as Savior and King. It is also Jesus’ first step toward his passion and death. The Palm Sunday is so vast. The readings especially the gospel reading and the passion narrative present us with the different characters and the specific roles they played in Jesus’ road to Jerusalem and the cross. Our today’s reflection will focus on the lessons to be learnt from the most overlooked character in the Palm Sunday event which is the donkey that carried Jesus into Jerusalem.

The gospel reading tells us that when Jesus drew near to Bethphage and Bethany on his way to Jerusalem, he sent two of his disciples to go into the village ahead and look for a donkey tied up with her colt beside her (Matthew 21:1-2). The donkey had not been ridden or used by anyone else. It was tied up, and the disciples were instructed to untie it and bring it to Jesus. It was tied up so that it could not wander away or be taken by someone else. It was meant for Jesus’ saving work and was therefore waiting for him (Matthew 21:1-3). Like the donkey, we too have been created for a purpose, and our life becomes more useful and fulfilling the moment we begin to live the life we are created to live.

The colt/donkey has a royal connotation. In Biblical times, it was common for kings or important people to arrive by a procession riding on a donkey. The donkey symbolized peace. So, those who chose to ride them showed that they came with peaceful intentions. That is why Jesus’ riding on a donkey fulfills the prophecy of Zechariah of the coming of Israel’s king, the future Messiah- the Prince of peace (Zech. 9:9). Jesus is the righteous, just, meek and humble king who comes in a simple demeanor, riding on a donkey, unlike the earthly kings that surround themselves with pomp and panoply.

Surely, we are not donkeys but like the donkey, we too are tied by many ropes and chains- the ropes of fear of unknown, anxiety, guilt over past mistakes, and other concerns. Some of us are tied down with the need to forgive others, but we cannot bring ourselves to do it. Many of us are tied down to obsessions and addictions to vices and substance abuse. Others are tied down to their phones, social media, and are finding it hard to detach themselves from these devices. Some need to let go and not to be afraid to show love again to others or to even believe in God after a heart-wrenching experience. We need to be untied from what weighs us down. As Christians, we cannot fully commit to God and be ready to be used by Him if we remain tied.

Palm Sunday is not just a celebration of Christ as King, but a celebration of Jesus as our liberator from shackles, dependencies and afflictions. We are not created to remain tied up. Palm Sunday is a day when like the donkey, we too are set loose to be used for the work of God. The Lord wants to untie the ropes holding us back, to break us free from every yoke, and to declare to us that our life is not over yet. We need to be free and untied in order to experience the power of Jesus in our lives. Let us look inwards to ascertain what needs to be untied in our lives. Let us not be scared to untie ourselves from whatever is chaining us down, preventing us from drawing closer and journeying with Jesus, and not allowing us to reach our full potentials in life.

In the gospel reading, we read that the two disciples found the donkey at the exact state and location that Jesus had described. They did not find it hard to locate it. In this way, the donkey teaches us a lesson on accessibility. Like the donkey, the Lord also has need of us, and we too should learn to be accessible both to God and to others. Again, the donkey assisted Jesus on his journey into Jerusalem in the same way as Simon of Cyrene assisted Jesus carry his cross on his way to Calvary. In this way, the donkey teaches us a lesson on availability. Like the donkey, we too should be ready and available to assist Jesus especially in the poor and needy. Just as the donkey helped Jesus in his mission, we too are to assist others to fulfill their goals in life. The last thing the donkey teaches us is to be more accommodating. Despite the donkey being a stubborn animal, it was docile and cooperating with Jesus. Let us also learn to accommodate others. Amen.