“Rufus, have you been training our new colt the way I told you to?” his father asked.

“I’m sorry I have not,” admitted the boy. “But I will do so as soon as we return.”

“You are a foolish brother, chimed Alexander. Our journey from Cyrene to Jerusalem will take over 30 days each way. We must pack all these cages to take with us to sell during the celebration. Young “Penty” is not ready to carry anything on his back and he’s too young to be separated from “Dusty” his mother. She will be an excellent beast of burden, but he will only be a burden thanks to your neglect. Am I right, Abba? Tell my younger brother I’m correct.”
Simon said, “Your brother is correct, Rufus. You should have planned better. Now it’s too late to place anything on the colt’s back. We will have to make do. Let’s start packing the cages on the stronger animal and hope for the best.”

They piled the pigeon coups on the back of “Trusty Dusty” and began their trek to Jerusalem expecting to be there in time for the Passover Feast.

The crowds were thick with visitors from Jewish communities around the world. Simon and his sons made their way to the Temple to set up a bartering booth alongside the other merchants trading in the Court of the Gentiles.

Suddenly, two men untied their donkey and colt intending to lead them away.

“Where are you taking our animals?” demanded Alexander.

“The Master has need of them,” one of the disciples replied.

“They’re fine,” Simon assured his son. But he also warned, “The colt has not been broken in yet” as the two men led the animals to the city’s entrance.

Rufus and Alexander watched in amazement as the masses began snapping palm branches from trees and spreading their cloaks on the ground in anticipation of the Lord’s arrival. Then, sitting peacefully atop their young colt that had never carried anything, came the Nazarene who entered Jerusalem to shouts of “Hosanna to the son of David. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven! Hail the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

The centurion, Longinus, lowered his long spear to keep the pressing onlookers at a safe distance from the parade.

“Some prophet,” snarled one soldier to another. “I’m sure Caesar has nothing to fear from this Jewish king. Nor Pilate as well. A donkey for a throne! Where is his crown? Lost among the thorn bushes, no doubt.”

Meanwhile, the number of followers continued to swell and multiply.

“They resemble sheep more than soldiers,” chuckled one Roman guard.

“Easier for us to slaughter,” rejoined Longinus, pushing his lance across the hearts of those who
were straining to see.

The last words from Christ’s followers deafened everyone in the street: “Behold the Lamb of God…”

Holy Homework: On March 29, the last Sunday of Lent, let’s serve lamb for supper while discussing which services we can attend during Holy Week.

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