It is true too.
Modern social science and psychology will teach us:
the greatest emotion in the life of human is the feeling of "to be needed".
It is applicable from children to the grand parents.
If not what is the real cause of the so called Hyper-Active kids? Or
what is the worry of the old parents in the Old age Homes?
It is all the lack of care - "to be needed" feeling.
Because, this feeling "to be needed" means to be accepted, to be loved, to be cared and more...
We can see more instances for this in our daily life:
Through exchanging some gifts or by communications (let it be phone calls, letters or emails, etc.) we are expressing the same feeling.
By caring and visiting some sick people or by engaging in social activities for the common good and rights the same thing is happening.
This feeling expresses that one is very precious and worthy to others, to the society...
Let us not underestimate this "need" in terms of our economical and business world; there it is mainly used in terms of consume.
This is more selfish and objective and lacks often the personal feelings...
The Palm sunday is related with this feeling very closely.
Because the Gospel we hear in Mk 11, 1-10 includes a small sentence:
"The Lord needs it".
This is regarding the colt Jesus used to enter in to Jerusalem.
We know Asses are used to carry heavy loads and to travel long distances. Israel's geographical structure will surely support using such an animal:
But never ever in the Gospel Jesus uses such a help for his journey.
He was powerful enough to travel through the land of Palestine.
If Jesus could travel through the deserts and hilly places he could also travel the distance between Bethany to Bethfage and to Jerusalem easily.
That means the use of the Colt has some meaning...
Jesus is entering not on a horse like normal Kings; but he is riding a colt. Still it is Royal. This colt is "that has never been ridden" means it is untamed and the use of it can be dangerous for Jesus. But we see Jesus masters this animal.
The message is clear: Jesus is entering Jerusalem, not to show his power, but he is there to spread the message of Peace and communion. Even the nature and wild animals grasp his message of peace. (Only some cunning humans are exceptional beings).
Jesus is of course fulfilling the messianic prophecy (Sach 9,9) by the selection of the colt. But there is another great message hidden in this action.
It is his selection for the weak.
His preference for the weak and poor is seen through out his life.
Not only selection of the colt, but it is visible in the call of apostles.
Even the women and children who followed him were cared and appreciated by Jesus: Yes, all of them represented the weak in Israel at that time.
He selected the humans, the weak ones who always tending to sins and failures....
Through this consideration a very clear message is given to us.
He tells he wants us: he needs us. We are special to God, even in our weakness and failures. He repeats this..."See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands" (Is 49, 16).
In this holy week Jesus is asserting this care and concern towards us.
For our sake he undergoes the judgement and punishments and cross.
Let us be thankful to his love and care for us.
Let us also be there for the weak and needy in our world.
It is the best way to show our gratefulness to his care.
May the loving and caring God, Bless us all. Amen!
-Fr Thomas Kalathil
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