It was a quiet day in the Woods. The Gentle Deer family was preparing for a spring picnic. ‘I have the picnic basket packed…did you find the tablecloth?’ Mary Deer asked. ‘We will have a Holy Week lunch in preparation for the Master’s suffering…death…and return,’ Mary Deer said. ‘This is a week of deep reflection…where have we been…where are we going,’ Mary Deer noted.

‘How was it he came to save us, and we did not know who he was?’ Mr. Mole asked. ‘He was the Prince of Peace…yet we continue to fashion instruments of war,’ Mr. Mole noted softly. ‘He walks through the Woods often…in the cool of the day…he invited me to walk with him,’ Mr. Mole continued. ‘The Teacher spoke of laughter and light…how all creatures had value to God…how he loved the sound of the babbling brook,’ Mr. Mole continued. ‘He gave me new spectacles and helped me fix my roof…he is a carpenter…he is good with a hammer and nails,’ Mr. Mole grinned.

‘The Carpenter is my buddy…I carry him many places…I carried him down the palm-strewn street of Jerusalem yesterday,’ Mr. Donkey said with twinkling eyes. ‘It was so loud and party like yesterday…it seemed he would be crowned King…today it is quiet…people are whispering…their glances have some paranoia in them,’ Mr. Donkey said. ‘The Carpenter is Gentle as always…he remains unruffled… non-anxiety…determined to fulfill his Dad’s plan,’ Mr. Donkey continued. ‘The Carpenter is a bit of an introvert…who loves people…he gets lost in thought…he loves his Mom and Dad…he talks with Mary M…he makes sure my family and I are warm and well fed,’ Mr. Donkey said with a smile. ‘He is not looking forward to what is coming…,’ Mr. Donkey noted with sadness.

‘When you see the sky turn dark…and nature becomes still… no birds singing… no deer scurrying…still like the darkest night you have seen…know that it is finished,’ the Carpenter said. ‘Then…a new day will dawn…Hope emerges from the tomb…I will have a lot of Carpentry work to do…and you will help me,’ the Carpenter said with a laugh.