asinaria festa

One of the interesting things in the Bible is just how many donkeys find themselves in the picture.

In particular I was struck by the donkey Balaam is riding which encounters an Angel and is given the power to speak after being unjustly punished in Numbers 22:28.

Today is the Feast of the Ass and was a religious holiday observed by medieval Christians each January 14.

It celebrates the flight into Egypt by Joseph, Mary, and the infant Christ and the donkey which bore them in particular to escape persecution by King Herod.

This day also celebrates the various biblical stories which feature donkeys such as Palm Sunday and Christ's arrival in Jerusalem riding a donkey colt.

All of this gives me pause to consider the station of the donkey in matters of spirituality. Can an animal who appears in scripture performing essential duties for the people featured therein truly be "lowly" ?

After all, the work of The Almighty is something to which we all might aspire.