Each year we begin Holy Week with the story of Jesus riding a donkey on Palm Sunday. To some it can be confusing, as it doesn't seem to make sense why Jesus -- who walked everywhere during his ministry -- would make such an odd public choice.
Why did Jesus ride a donkey on Palm Sunday?
The primary reason why Jesus rode a donkey on Palm Sunday was to recall the prophecy of Zechariah regarding the Messiah.
It was a very deliberate act that the people of Jerusalem would have recognized.
Furthermore, Jesus was highlighting what kind of king he was, as Pope Benedict XVI explains in his 2006 homily on Palm Sunday.
Not only did Jesus proclaim that he was a king of the poor, but that he would bring peace.
Last of all, Jesus shows with this act that he will be a universal king, for all people.
Jesus chose to ride on a donkey on Palm Sunday for a specific reason and has laid out for us who he is and what kind of king he is for all humanity.
