Palm Sunday Lectio Divina with Poetry
When I cam across this poem by Mary Oliver, found in the pages of the book ‘Devotions’ which sits in the select stack of books by my bedside, I knew it would become a feature of my own Holy Week practices, as well be featured throughout the season during sessions of Spiritual Direction.
The poem draws attention to an often overlooked being in the story— the donkey🫏.
As a lover of animals, and one who loves engaging in imaginative prayer, the draw to the seemingly insignificant— the parts of the story often overlooked for ‘the bigger message’— is where I often find the most profound seeds of grace.
As you engage in Palm Sunday, perhaps this Lectio Divina practice with the poem titled ‘The Poet Thinks About The Donkey’ can add a new depth, spin, or contemplative gaze to your day.
Enjoy!
Movement 1 - Silencio - Quiet preparation of the heart.
Find a comfortable seat, silence the noise around you. Slow down. Pray to God releasing tension and anything filling your mind into God’s hands. Acknowledge the Loving Presence of God meeting you right here, in the place where you are. This is a great space to close your eyes, breathe and allow yourself to become present right here, right now.
Movement 2 - Lectio - Read.
Read the poem below slowly. Slower than you’d probably like to. Read it out loud if you can. Linger on words, let them drip out of your mouth slowly like honey dripping from a spoon. If a word or phrase catches your attention, stop for a moment and simply savour the moment of allowing the Spirit to stir your attention. Enjoy this moment.
The Poet Thinks About The Donkey
By Mary Oliver
On the outskirts of Jerusalem
the donkey waited.
Not especially brave, or filled with understanding,
he stood and waited.
How horses, turned out into the meadow,
leap with delight!
How doves, released from their cages,
clatter away, splashed with sunlight!
But the donkey, tied to a tree as usual, waited.
Then he let himself be led away.
Then he let the stranger mount.
Never had he seen such crowds!
And I wonder if he at all imaged what was to happen.
Still, he was what he had always been: small, dark, obedient.
I hope, finally, he felt brave.
I hope, finally, he loved the man who rode so lightly upon him,
as he lifted one dusty hoof and stepped, as he had to, forward.
Movement 3 - Mediatio - Meditate.
Read the poem again. Outloud if you can. And, once more, savour the words you are reading as you read through slowly. Listen for an invitation God may be bringing forward to you through the words. Maybe something stands out again, maybe something is stirring in your heart. As things begin to light up to you, explore the invitation.
The Poet Thinks About The Donkey
By Mary Oliver
On the outskirts of Jerusalem
the donkey waited.
Not especially brave, or filled with understanding,
he stood and waited.
How horses, turned out into the meadow,
leap with delight!
How doves, released from their cages,
clatter away, splashed with sunlight!
But the donkey, tied to a tree as usual, waited.
Then he let himself be led away.
Then he let the stranger mount.
Never had he seen such crowds!
And I wonder if he at all imaged what was to happen.
Still, he was what he had always been: small, dark, obedient.
I hope, finally, he felt brave.
I hope, finally, he loved the man who rode so lightly upon him,
as he lifted one dusty hoof and stepped, as he had to, forward.
Movement 4 - Oratio - Respond + Pray.
Read the poem for the third and final time. Now you can enter into a personal dialogue with God. Notice what God might be saying through the poem and respond truthfully and authentically. What do you feel after reading? Where do you feel tension or peace? What words cultivated that inside of you? Talk to God about what is coming up for you in prayer.
The Poet Thinks About The Donkey
By Mary Oliver
On the outskirts of Jerusalem
the donkey waited.
Not especially brave, or filled with understanding,
he stood and waited.
How horses, turned out into the meadow,
leap with delight!
How doves, released from their cages,
clatter away, splashed with sunlight!
But the donkey, tied to a tree as usual, waited.
Then he let himself be led away.
Then he let the stranger mount.
Never had he seen such crowds!
And I wonder if he at all imaged what was to happen.
Still, he was what he had always been: small, dark, obedient.
I hope, finally, he felt brave.
I hope, finally, he loved the man who rode so lightly upon him,
as he lifted one dusty hoof and stepped, as he had to, forward.
Movement 5 - Contemplatio - Contemplation.
Rest in the beautiful, Loving Presence of God. Allow yourself time to sit and let what you’ve experienced sink in. If you’d like, you can turn what stood out to you most or perhaps what a take away from the practice was with you as a breath prayer for the day, you could journal your response, or you could just enjoy some silent moments sitting with God. Take at least 10 deep breaths here practicing contemplation enjoying the presence of God.
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Want to learn more about Lectio Divina? Click HERE.
Looking for an Imaginative Prayer Practice for Palm Sunday? Click HERE.
Looking for more Easter resources? Click HERE.