16 March 2008, Boston, MA – This Sunday at Old South, Rev. Quinn
Caldwell preached about the natural response of the ruling class to
the arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem. The protectors of he status quo
were, he said, acting from the most basic instinct of self
preservation found in the reptilian level of our highly evolved and
multilayered minds. People who might otherwise be compassionate,
reasonable, thoughtful individuals will turn quite brutal when faced
with imminent mortal threats. "If you want to get bitten by a strange
dog, corner it, then rush toward it while baring your teeth." Rev.
Quinn argued that Jesus was very much aware that his riding a donkey,
as described by the prophets, heralded by the masses would be a
threat to the elite tantamount to cornering a strange dog. It was an
interesting frame of reference to enter into holy week with — one
that I hope will lead to fruitful meditation before Easter.
Photo by Dominick Reuter