An Ode to Humility

"Palm Sunday"

Along the pilgrim way they went

where seers and saints had trod,

he sensed the blessing of pure hearts

that look upon their God.

They cheered and laughed along the road,

Hosannas thick and fast,

but he wasn’t fooled by human praise

he knew the first was last.

He did not watch how Judas scowled

or dote on Peter’s smile,

he simply did what he was asked

and went the second mile.

The pilgrim crowd were on a high,

their palms a waving mass,

he went in trust all of the way

though he was just an ass.

© B.D. Prewer 1991

The Donkey BY G. K. CHESTERTON

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.

"Hosanna" by Mitch Chase

“In the village,” said the Savior,
 “Find a donkey that is tied,
 On which no one else has sat.
 Bring it so that I may ride.”

To the Master came the donkey,
 Guided by the two he sent.
 And they threw their cloaks upon it
 Right before he climbed and went.

Toward Jerusalem he journeyed,
 As the crowds were laying palms,
 Shouting “Hosanna! Blessed is he
 Who in the name of Yahweh comes!”

Then Pharisees commanded Jesus,
 “Teacher, stop these words they shout!”
 But Jesus said, “If they were silent,
 Rocks themselves would still cry out.”