Tell the Daughter

When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, "Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, just say this, 'The Lord needs them.' And he will send them immediately." This took place to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet, saying,

"Tell the daughter of Zion, Look, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a donkey."

The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting,

"Hosanna to the Son of David!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!"

When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, "Who is this?" The crowds were saying, "This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee." Matthew 21:1-11 

As we travel south to my Mom's house, we have been visiting our daughters. I have waited so long to see them all again. I wish I could gather them up as I did when they were small and take them everywhere with me. Their laughter thrills my heart, but I am even more impresses with their competence and compassion. Watching them living their lives with such love and joy thrills my heart. It brings me close to God in gratitude hoe blessed I am to have them as my daughters, to have them in my life.

Jesus getting ready for his final days. He would ride into Jerusalem with great honor and quickly be betrayed and put to death. How quickly tribute and adulation can turn to loathing and destruction. God reminds us of the frailty of humanity, how quickly we can tear into those we love. God invites us to give thanks for the steady and constant love we receive and those who draw us close to God in their love for us.

Today, as we move on down the road, may we be glad and thankful for every gift of love and family we receive. And may we all remember how fragile humans are, and live with tenderness and kindness with everyone today.