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All weeks are holy. But each year at this time, the Church names one week “Holy Week.” And for good reason—we are invited to meditate on this last week of Jesus’ life on earth.
For this occasion, Jesus chose a donkey and her colt. A donkey is quite low on the list of wonderful and admired animals. Jesus must have had a good reason to choose this humble, wise animal that is so often ridiculed and overlooked. Some of the qualities of a donkey include calmness, slowness, willingness to carry heavy burdens, and patience. It’s also said that they never act out of bitterness or spite. The plant world is also honored in this story. Great crowds of people spread branches on the path of Jesus. And today we, too, hold palms as the passion narrative is told. Let us take this opportunity to reflect on the goodness and wonder of God’s creation of plants and animals. Let us also consider how they model graciousness and generosity for us, qualities that Jesus himself embodied.