I wanna be a donkey.*

There was a donkey that lived thousands of years ago. Most of the time, people would use him to ride on while travelling. He would happily have the people ride on his back, and he would take them to wherever they intended to go.

One day, a tall and well-composed man decided to ride on his back. As they reached the gates of Jerusalem, more people gathered on their way. The crowd spread their cloaks on the street. They gathered palm leaves and waited for their arrival. The donkey was thrilled to see how the people welcomed them.

When they passed by, the crowd cheered them and waved their palms. Oh, how happy was this donkey! He had never caught this much attention by anyone. And it is happening now.

However, after a few moments, Jesus was not riding on his back anymore. The people stopped rejoicing. No one was noticing the donkey again. He was dismayed that he asked his mother donkey, "Why is the crowd like that, mom? Why did they stop hailing me?"

Mother donkey creased her head, while saying, "Are you out of your mind, son? They were praising not you but the One who rode on your back. Without Christ, you are nothing."

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Oh, how I wish I were the donkey in the story. I wish to be a servant of Christ by serving my purpose in this world, just as the donkey fulfilled his purpose by having Jesus ride on his back.

How I wish I were as nothing as the donkey. He was empty-handed, but when Jesus rode on his back, it felt as if he was at the top of the world. I wish that Jesus would use me that way, too, so that His glory would manifest greatly. I wish to shrink myself so deeply in order that Someone more glorious, holy and deserving would excel out of me.

I wish to recognize that like the donkey, without Christ, I am nothing; that I could never attribute even a small accomplishment to me, because I could not do anything in my own efforts. All goodness comes from the Sole Provider, and in reality i do not possess anything, even my own self. I wish to be remembered that when God ceases to ride on my back, I would return to the nothing that I came from. I want to be least of all donkeys because it is in this littleness that the Rider would be hailed the most by His people.

I want to be a donkey. How about you? c:

*inspired by a homily by Fr. Thor Villacarlos