What does it mean to be meek? This is the term that is used to translate the prophet Zechariah’s description of the messianic king whom he foresees, and whom Saint Matthew sees as fulfilled on Palm Sunday (cf. Mt 21:5). Meek is likewise the term used to translate Our Lord’s description of Himself, as well as one of the beatitudes (Mt 5:5)! How do the prophet and Our Lord teach us about meekness, this quality that Jesus so wants us to learn in today’s Gospel?
The Messiah would have every right to choose only the biggest, the best, the fastest, the most beautiful of steeds on which to ride. He forgoes all of this, and chooses a donkey: a short, slow, shrieking, but sturdy donkey. The Messiah certainly would have the power to display his military might, yet he forgoes all of that in order to banish war chariots, war horses, and war bows. Instead, his rule is characterized by peace with nation upon nation upon nation. The meek Messiah does not look down proudly upon others, nor does he rule them by force. He looks others in the eye from his donkey. He disarms them with his disarmed peace.
Our Lord, the Christ, the Son of the Father, gives us the fulfillment of the meek Messiah seen by Zechariah. The Son praises the Father’s majestic revelation of the mysteries of the kingdom not to the most esteemed of the world, but to the most despised. The meek Son’s attention is upon the meek to whom the Father is so attentive. The meek Son’s desire to provide rest for souls that are burdened. The meek Son makes even the yoke of His commandments light by His love which carries us through any and all difficulties in following Him. May we indeed learn from this meek Messiah who so desires us to learn from Him. May we relate humbly to one another this week. May we start to find rest in such meekness, since there we find Jesus who is meek and humble of heart.