Word on Fire is brought to you by Catholic Cemetery, serving the Chicago area since 1837.

This is Cardinal Francis George, and I invite you to join me for the next few minutes to reflect with Father Robert Barron on the Word of God, which is the Word on Fire.

Father Barron will challenge us to open our hearts to the Word on Fire,

which is God's word of love for each of us.

If our hearts are open, the Lord can change and transform us so that we might speak with love about the one who is love.

The Archdiocese of Chicago through the generosity of Sacred Heart Parish in Winnettka

now presents the Word on Fire.

Peace be with you. Friends on this Palm Sunday, I want to reflect with you on a king and an ass.

I'm serious. That's what the Bible is about today. In typical biblical fashion, the gospel

juxtaposes Christ the king and this donkey on which he rides into Jerusalem. And as is customary

with the Bible, it's the juxtaposition between these two things that opens a door, that sheds a light

that reveals the truth. An ass, a donkey, was in Jesus' time what he is today, namely a beast

of burden, a humble, simple, unassuming little animal, used by very ordinary people to do their work.

There was absolutely nothing glamorous or attention-getting about an ass.

The wealthy and powerful, they might own horses, maybe a team of oxen to do their work.

A political leader, especially one with ambition, might ride a stately steed, a fine Arab charger.

They'd have little to do with donkeys.

Remember, all of his public career, Jesus had resisted when people claimed messiahship for him.

Whenever they acclaimed him such, he sternly ordered them to be silent.

When they came to carry off and make him king, he slipped away. But now, at the climax of his life, the end of his public ministry, as he comes

into Jerusalem, he is willing to be proclaimed as king. They shout Hosanna.

They wave their palm branches.

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