Ox and Donkey Are Me

Elpidio Pezzella
3 hours ago
3 min read

So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 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.

Luke 2:6-7 NKJV

In the nativity story offered to us by the Gospel of Luke, there is no mention of any animals, and the presence of the shepherds who came to the manger would allow us to imagine some, but not an ox or a donkey, even if a quote from the prophet Isaiah may have favored the imagination of some Christians: “The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master's crib, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand” (Isaiah 1:3). According to some scholars, the ox represents the Roman Empire, which subjugated the donkey with its strength, which in turn represents the Jewish people, oppressed by Roman taxes. Without getting into meaningless diatribes, I would like us to take the time, just for the duration of this reading, to try to grasp the symbolic potential of these two animals, given that they appear quite often in biblical texts. The people, as announced by the prophet Isaiah, received the good news but, due to their lack of knowledge and discernment, did not accept it: “He came to his own, and his own did not receive him” (John 1:11).

I find an ancient legend significant and inspiring. It tells that on that night, an angel gathered all the animals to choose the most suitable ones to help Mary and Joseph in the stable in Bethlehem. The lion was the first to present himself. “Only a king is worthy of serving the King of kings,” he roared. “I will stand at the entrance and devour anyone who tries to approach.” “You are too violent,” said the angel. The fox arrived with a cunning and innocent air, insinuating, “For the son of God, I will steal the best honey and the most fragrant milk every morning. I will bring Mary and Joseph a beautiful chicken every day.” “You are too dishonest,” said the angel. The peacock arrived, haughty and resplendent, with its magnificent colorful tail: “I will transform that modest stable into a palace more beautiful than Solomon's.” “You are too vain,” replied the angel. One after another, many animals passed by in vain. The angel couldn't find one that was suitable. Then he noticed that nearby, in a field, the donkey and the ox continued to work with their heads down. So he called out to them: “Don't you have anything to offer?” “Nothing,” replied the donkey, sadly drooping his long ears. “We have learned nothing but humility and patience. Anything else just means more beatings.” The ox, timidly, without raising his eyes, said, “But we could chase away the flies with our tails from time to time.” The angel smiled: “You are the right ones!”

Cited for his hard work and patience, I prefer to think of the ox for his silence before the mystery of the manger: he does not understand what has happened and continues to chew the cud without uttering a word. While there are those who praise and adore, those who cheer and shout, his silence speaks, cries out without clamor, because most of the time it would be appropriate to remain silent in the face of truths that can only be contemplated. The ox is not alone, he has good company: a donkey who is aware that he does not know enough. While many lean out of their balconies, climb onto stages and pontificate with great presumption about what is true and right, the donkey goes against the grain. The Greek philosopher Socrates said that in order to know the truth, one must start from not knowing, from true and sincere ignorance. Only those who know that they do not know can approach the mystery of God becoming Man, and not only that. Unlike the ox, however, the donkey occasionally makes itself heard with its braying. An almost angry cry, with which it tries to express what it feels in its own way. There are feelings that cannot be expressed with normal words, just as there are people who do not know how to communicate according to general norms. Ox or donkey, silent or braying, after contemplating, let us bow down to recognize Jesus as our Lord and Savior, from the manger to the Word.

(Photo by artepresepiale.it)