The Catholic Defender: Meet Loshem The Donkey more famous than Francis The Talking Mule

Donkeys were gifted the cross for their role in biblical prophecies.

White she-donkeys from Judges 5:10 are related to the Messiah and his foal of a donkey, literature.

such donkeys would be ridden by persons of dignity

With lifelong proper care, donkeys can live well into their 30s with the average life span being 33 years. The average life span of a wild donkey is 25 to 30 years.

Jesus was born December 25 B.C and crucified April 3, 33 A.D

here is a story the donkey got the cross stripe featured on its back?

To this day, the smaller breed of donkeys proudly wears the sign of the cross on its back.

It’s also told that the leg stripes were received from walking through the palm branches that were laid in its path in honour of the burden the donkey was carrying.

Donkeys were gifted the cross for their role in biblical prophecies.

So Joseph and his wife, Mary, left Nazareth, a village in Galilee, and journeyed to their hometown in Judea, to the village of Bethlehem, King David's ancient home. They were required to register there, since they were both direct descendants of David. Mary was pregnant and nearly ready to give birth.

The pregnant and delicate Mary riding on a donkey, Joseph confidently leading the way as her husband and protector with staff in hand, the demanding and dangerous trip to Bethlehem, finding no room available at the inn upon their arrival and thus giving birth to Jesus in a cave that served as a stable.

And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn."

Everyone was to be registered in their own city, so Mary and Joseph had to return to Joseph's home city - Bethlehem in Judea. Bethlehem at the time was called David's city, and Joseph was of descent of David.

A prophecy given in Micah 5:2-3 speaks of the Messiah being born in Bethlehem.

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting.”

It is known by Christians that a donkey carried Mary to Bethlehem prior to the birth of Jesus.

Once there was a donkey that was strong and smart, but smaller than the other donkeys.

Because of his size, he was often overlooked when people needed a donkey to ride.

Matt. 2:13-18 Joseph is warned by an angel in a dream to take Jesus and Mary to Egypt to escape King Herod’s wrath. They escape by night, just before Herod orders the murder of all baby boys born in and around Bethlehem during the last two years.

Mary and Joseph averaged two mph and 12 miles (six hours of travel) per day. In total, their journey took about one week.

Some 33 years later, the donkey once again was called for a special mission.

One day the donkey stood tethered on the street near one of the gates of Jerusalem.

The city was crowded because of Passover, and donkeys were being used to transport people to various places in the city.

Jesus sent two Disciples “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find an ass tethered, and a colt with her.* Untie them and bring them here to me.

Once there was a donkey that was strong and smart, but smaller than the other donkeys. Because of his size, he was often overlooked when people needed a donkey to ride.

The Donkey Who Carried Jesus is also the story of Jesus, His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, His fulfilling of scripture, and His resurrection - told through the eyes of Loshem, a humble donkey, and her colt, Katen – whom later Jesus names Lokael.

Jesus chose to ride a donkey into Jerusalem. This was to tell his followers he was the Messiah and King, as foretold by the prophet Zechariah in the Gospel of Matthew (Zechariah 9:9). Riding a donkey was a humble way of entering Jerusalem, compared to a horse which would have been a symbol of war.

On Palm Sunday a donkey was chosen by Jesus to be his ride into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:1-11).

Jesus rode a donkey into Jerusalem fulfilled a prophecy spoken 500 years before that the Messiah would ride a donkey into Jerusalem

Matthew 21:5

“Say to daughter Zion,‘Behold, your king comes to you,

meek and riding on an ass,and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’”

The disciples went and did as Jesus had ordered them.They brought the ass and the colt and laid their cloaks over them, and he sat upon them.

Zechariah 9:9

Exult greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout for joy, O daughter Jerusalem! Behold: your king* is coming to you,

a just savior is he, Humble, and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

They said, “Our Master told us to get a donkey no one has ridden, and we’re going to bring him this one.”

When they brought the donkey to Jesus, he smiled and climbed on its back.

The donkey proudly began walking into Jerusalem as a crowd of people waved palm branches and cheered, “Hosanna”.

The donkey never stumbled on the cobblestone street or faltered beneath the weight.

As they approached the Temple, Jesus drew the donkey to a halt.

He climbed down, patted the animal’s back, and said, “Well done.”

The same donkey carried Mary and the baby Jesus on their flight into Egypt to escape the wrath of King Herod when he ordered the slaughter of the Innocents.

Mary and Joseph averaged two mph and 12 miles (six hours of travel) per day. In total, their journey took about one week.