Palms Before My Feet

Learning how humility is the heart of Palm Sunday

04/02/2023

Mt 21:1-11 When Jesus and the disciples drew near Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, "Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find an ass tethered, And a colt with her. Untie them and bring them here to me. And if anyone should say anything to you, reply, 'The master has need of them.' Then he will send them at once." This happened so that what had been spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled: Say to daughter Zion, "Behold, your king comes to you, meek and riding on an ass, and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden." The disciples went and did as Jesus had ordered them. They brought the ass and the colt and laid their cloaks over them, and he sat upon them. The very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and strewed them on the road. The crowds preceding him and those following kept crying out and saying: "Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; hosanna in the highest."

Have you ever heard of Archbishop Fulton Sheen? All the old timers are nodding their heads. His cause for canonization has begun and he is called “Venerable Fulton Sheen.” But besides his spiritual credentials, he was a brilliant theologian who wrote 66 books, several of which I have read. He was also a wildly popular television personality. In fact, he had the most popular television show on T.V. called “Life Is Worth Living.”

And in 1952 he won an Emmy Award, the prestigious award for exceptional work in the television industry. Even more impressive, his appeal spread far beyond Catholic circles. He was admired by Protestants, Jews, Muslims, and even atheists, but not the Communists. As far as worldly notoriety and fame goes, Fulton Sheen was at the top of the heap, spiritually and secularly.

But I remember one day listening to one of his broadcasts on tape and he said something remarkable. He was discussing his popularity, and how people complimented his speaking and writing skills. The good archbishop said, “Well, if Jesus can ride into Jerusalem on a donkey to manifest his glory, then I guess he can even use someone like me to show his glory.” Coming from a man the whole world took seriously, it was refreshing to hear that he did not take himself too seriously. He was humble, like a donkey.

And I am convinced that this humility is the very heart of the Palm Sunday celebration. How so? Well, Jesus himself does not let all the pomp and circumstance, the popularity polls he was at the top of, and the adulation of the crowds singing “Hosanna!” go to his head. How does he avoid it? He rides into Jerusalem as a king (to be sure), but on a donkey. Zechariah had prophesied the coming of this humble king in Zech 9:9, which St. Matthew quoted in today’s gospel at the beginning of Mass.

In other words, Jesus does not triumphantly enter David’s City of Jerusalem on a "war horse” displaying earthly power and royal authority. When all the world wanted to take Jesus seriously – because it was not the right kind of seriousness – our Lord did not let himself be taken too seriously. The world is always taking the wrong things seriously. The most serious thing in the world is humility. And that is why Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey.

My friends, one of the most natural human needs and tendencies is to seek the approval and applause of other people. And to a certain extent that is a good thing. We rightly desire our parents’ praise, we want good grade from teachers at school, we seek the compliments of our coaches in track, soccer, and basketball. But that human desire can also become highly detrimental if it leads to pride, ego, and boasting.

Venerable Fulton Sheen wrote in his autobiography, fittingly called “Treasure in Clay", that “The proud man counts his newspaper clippings, the humble man counts his blessings.” When all the world starts to take you too seriously, it is a test of humility if you don’t take yourself too seriously. If Jesus can use a donkey to show his glory, then he can use you and me to show his glory too. Remember that, and you will stay humble.

Let me conclude with a poem by G.K. Chesterton called, “The Donkey” and invite you to think about the life of this humble animal. By the way, this poem ain’t like reading Dr. Seuss, so you have to concentrate on the words. The Donkey says:

When fishes flew and forests walked

And figs grew upon thorn,

Some moment when the moon was blood

Then surely I was born.

With monstrous head and sickening cry

And ears like errant wings,

The devil’s walking parody

On all four-footed things.

The tattered outlaw of the earth,

Of ancient crooked will;

Starve, scourge, deride me; I am dumb;

I keep my secret still.

Fools! For I also had my hour;

One far, fierce hour and sweet:

There was a shout about my ears,

And palms before my feet

In other words, when we humble ourselves like a donkey, then Jesus can lift us high to share his glory.

 

Praised be Jesus Christ!