Wednesday, June 20, 2018

“If you see that the donkey of someone who hates you has collapsed under its load, do not walk by. Instead, stop and help.”  (Exodus 23:5)

                On Father’s Day, Susan and I went to visit the Primose Donkey Sanctuary, not far from Peterborough. And no, you wise guys, she did not leave me there.

                This is a place which takes in abused, neglected or abandoned donkeys or donkeys whose original owners can no longer adequately care for them. There had to be twenty or thirty donkeys and mules of all sizes, shapes, colours, and each with a unique story as to how they got there.  One female was badly undernourished and painfully thin, so the proprietor, Sheila Burns, was amazed when just a week after arriving at the sanctuary the frail donkey gave birth to a foal. Now she and her offspring live a safe, happy, healthy life on the farm. A couple of the donkeys are in their late forty years of age.

                I really like donkeys. They are smart, friendly, affectionate, like company, have a sense of humour, know their own mind, and this sanctuary brings out the real characters of donkey-dom.  Our guide knew each donkey or mule by name. It is hard to believe why anyone would abuse these beautiful animals but we heard some very sad and horrible things being done to them.

                Did you know that donkeys need to grieve the loss of one of their own when one of them dies? They need to see and smell the body so that they have a sense of closure.

                The text from Exodus has many complexities. We might think that it really doesn’t have anything to say to most of us who live very modern, urban, secular lives.  Most of don’t have donkeys in our driveways.

                But I see it this way. Jesus has much to say about those who don’t like us, mistreat us, bully us, abuse our friendships, take advantage of our good graces and by and large demonstrate animosity towards us. Most of what he says is quite a test of our Christian temperament.  “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy.  But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!”  (Matthew 5: 43)

                This is very hard a lot of the times. We’re more apt to say when we see someone with whom our relationships are sour and now full of resentment and anger that if something goes bad for them that it serves them right. It is hard to be loving when that unlovable, despicable so-and-so is need of our help. It is hard to lend a hand when our fists are closed in bitterness and hatred.

                But I am very sure that Jesus meant every word of it.

                The verse also reminds me of the Parable of the Good Samaritan. I am sure you know it well. A Jewish man has been mugged and robbed and left by the side of the road. Two prominent, pious, religious leaders saw the man but deliberately passed by on the other side so as to avoid ritual contamination or not wanting to be late for their important appointments or just not wanting to get involved. But a despised Samaritan stops, bandaged the man’s wounds, put the injured man on his own donkey and took him to an inn and paid for his stay while he healed.

                Score one for the donkey!

                “Go and do likewise!” (Luke 10:37)

                Need I say more?

Dale