Into Jerusalem – Read Lk 19:28-44
Contemplation
There’s a feeling of tension. Something big is happening and Jesus is scared. We are going to the big city, where the Temple is, where people from all overcome and pray. Outside the city, there’s a hill with trees on it. Jesus tells a couple of us to go along the cobbled road ahead and find a donkey to ride on. It all sounds a bit funny, as he says no-one has ever ridden it but if anyone asks us about it, we must say the master wants it. Still, it’s a sunny day and good for a walk. Strolling along the road, birds chirping and the stones hard under our leather sandals, we find the donkey and untie it. Some men come running up. “What are you doing?,” they ask. We are a bit worried – but we tell them the master wants it and they smile and wave us on.
We take it back, much to the donkey’s annoyance (it struggles and brays)!, but Jesus calms it with a word and rides into town. What a reception we get coming down the hill! Crowds cheering and waving – throwing clothes in front of us for Jesus’ donkey to walk on. The roar of the crowd is overwhelming! The shouts! We are all caught up and shout cheering and yelling back with joy about all the things we have heard and done with and through Jesus. Jesus seems thoughtful, though. He’s not joining in all the hubbub. When some of the officials tell him to shut his disciples up, he says that even the stones will shout if they do shut up. Still, he seems to have tears in his eyes – and not happy ones. He is worried, not for himself, but about what will happen to this city.
Talk to Jesus and the people around. Travel along the road with them.
What do the people feel? What are the smells, sights, sounds?
How do I feel when some feelings don’t match with others?
What worries me?