My Good Friends,
“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest!”— Luke 19:38
Today we walk with Jesus as He enters Jerusalem—not on a warhorse, not surrounded by soldiers, but riding a borrowed colt. The crowds shout and wave palms, but this is not the triumph of a conqueror. This is the gentle arrival of the Prince of Peace is exactly the kind of King that St. Francis would recognize.
I would imagine that image of Jesus on a colt would have moved St. Francis deeply. For Francis, all of creation was his brother and sister. He saw no creature as lowly, no moment as small, no life as insignificant. Even a humble donkey was part of God’s plan.
This passage reminds us that God doesn’t ride in on extravagance and power, but on gentleness. Jesus doesn’t come to dominate but to dwell among us. So, what kind of King rides a colt? A King who is not afraid to be small a humble King. People expected a liberator—someone to throw off the Roman Empire. But Jesus’ revolution is not one of swords, but of servanthood. He comes as a King who lays down His life, not one who takes the lives of others.
St. Francis followed that same path. Although in his “pre-conversion” Francis had the ambition to be a solider and a knight, he soon thereafter renounced weapons, embraced the poor, and sought to rebuild the Church; not with stones, but with love. He took up the cross of Christ, not a sword. To follow Jesus into Jerusalem, we too must choose that same way of peace, embracing our own cross for Christ.
When the Pharisees tell Jesus to silence the crowd, Jesus replies: “I tell you, if they keep silent, the stones will cry out!” (Luke 19:40) This is Franciscan at its core! In the Canticle of the Creatures, Francis invites the sun, moon, fire, water, and even Sister Death to praise God. Jesus reminds us: all creation knows its Maker. And should we forget how to praise, creation itself will carry the song.
So, what does this mean for us?
- Are we looking for a flashy savior, or do we have eyes to see the God who comes in humility?
- Will we walk the road to Jerusalem—knowing it leads to the Cross—and still shout “Hosanna”?
- Can we join Francis in singing with the stones and with the colt?
And so we pray…
Lord Jesus, humble King, You entered not with might, but with mercy. You chose the lowly path, and called it holy. Make our hearts like Yours—gentle, courageous, and full of praise. May we sing with all creation:
“Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord.” Amen.
Have a Blessed Holy Week!
-Fr. Zack
