The Parishes of Bantry Bay

We know the story so well. Jesus, the wandering preacher from Galilee, with has band of followers, enters the Holy City on a donkey, a few days before Passover. The followers lay palm fronds and blankets on the rough road to make the way gentle for the donkey. Jerusalem would have been thronged with people at that time as Jewish pilgrims from all over the neighbouring countryside and beyond arrived for Passover. They helped to form the crowds cheering and chanting as the Lord arrived. 

In the Gospel we read that the donkey in question was ‘unbroken’. This was necessary in Jewish law for sacrifices at the Temple as the animals had to be ‘perfect’. St John also points out that Jesus’ actions were actually a sign that fulfilled the prophecy of Zechariah: “Rejoice with all your heart, people of Zion! Shout in triumph, people of Jerusalem! Look! Your King is coming to you: He is righteous and victorious. He is humble and rides on a donkey, on a colt, a young pack animal” The Legend of the Jerusalem Donkey  has become a part of the story of Easter. Although it is, perhaps, just a story about the donkey that was Jesus’ mount on Palm Sunday. We all know that a donkey carried Mary to Bethlehem and on the trip to Egypt, Jesus rode a donkey to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and the significance of Jesus’ riding a donkey was that he was coming in peace.  

The Nubian donkey has a cross on its back because it was said that this breed of donkeys carried Jesus to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. According to legend, the donkey knew what that Jesus was facing a trial and much suffering. Seeing the tragic event of Jesus’ crucifixion, the donkey wished that he had been able to carry the cross for Jesus and bear his burden. The donkey could not bear the sight of the cross and turned its head away until it was “finished” because of its love for Jesus.According to legend, in reward for the loyal and humble love of the donkey for Jesus, the Lord caused the shadow of the cross to fall across the back of the Jerusalem donkey. Ever since, the Jerusalem donkey has carried a sign of the love of God for all to see. The cross on the back of each Jerusalem donkey is different. No two are alike. Each donkey is defined by the cross they bear on their back.