Jesus who was formerly mocked and abused by his fellow countrymen is now left to the abuse of the roman soldiers. The level of abuse is now elevated and the cloaking and crowning with thorns adds further pain and humiliation to the early hours of our Lord's passion. The pain that Jesus experienced internally by his fellow Jews and countrymen began to deepen this cup of suffering. The added physical abuse was the aftermath of His internal rejection. The childhood rhyme that says, "Sticks and stones will break my bones but names will never harm me" may not be all that true when it comes to being cursed at and rejected. We often think of Jesus being God as we should, but this should never cause us to think that He was insulated emotionally from such abuse. We know that Jesus withstood this and finished His mission to Calvary but the price He paid started in Gethsemane. The garden marked the end of his public ministry and the beginning of His Passion. Perhaps during the early stages of Lent we could try to focus on how Jesus handled internal rejection by those who were the closest to him. To try to sense how He overcame this and was able to move ahead to complete His mission. Rejection and mocking at this level would the strongest of individuals to buckle and break. Perhaps in His victory over defeat we could find our own victory.
Calvary, Golgotha, or as interpreted the place of the skull. One thing we know for sure like the altar of sacrifice in the temple this was a place of death. Jesus was chosen for this occasion and He chose to fulfill these events. It is one thing to be forced to do something that is out of your control but it is entirely different when you choose to accept such a horrifying experience for the good of others. This is why it is said of Jesus and many who have followed in His footsteps, "Greater love has no man that this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." (Jn. 15:13) The sacrifice Jesus made at Calvary was accomplished for the spiritual freedom of all mankind. We as fellow citizens of freedom know very well the price that has been paid and laid down at the altar of freedom. When we think of the eternal freedom and salvation that the Lord has bought for us and the price it cost, the only thing left to give is gratitude and service.
Although during the mocking one segment of it called for Jesus to show His power by removing Himself from the cross Mk. 16:31-32, but His power is what drove Him to the cross and kept Him there until he completed His mission. What appears to the world as foolish and weak is the greatest of the powers that Jesus revealed to those around him. St. Paul had something profound to say about the wise and the foolish when he wrote to the church at Corinth. He said, "God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong. God chose what is low and despised in the world even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are. So that no human being might boast in the presence of God." (1Cor. 1:27-29) It was difficult for those who thought they were wise and had all the answers to accept someone who claimed to be their king allowing himself to be crucified. How could someone who claimed to be God with infinite power allow himself to crucified like a common criminal? But it was this show of internal strength that revealed His greatest show of power. It was not calling down the legion of angels as He very well could have and be lifted from that cross. It was beyond the cross that Jesus saw that lead Him to go to the cross and stay on it to death and Finish His Mission. The writer to the Hebrews may shed a little light on what Jesus saw on the other side of Calvary. "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us. Looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." (Heb.12:1-2) We need to look beyond the momentary difficulty and see what the Lord is accomplishing through and beyond the situation.
His servants and yours,
Gerard & Yolanda Cleffi Directors
Oratory of Divine Love
It is persecution itself which, according to Tertullian's famous words, becomes the "the seed of Christians," the source of mission for Christians to come. I cite his words: "We multiply wherever we are mown down by you; the blood of Christians is seed..." But in our life too, the Cross that will never be absent, becomes a blessing. And by accepting our cross, knowing that it becomes and is a blessing, we learn Christian joy even in moments of difficulty.
Pope Benedict XVI, The Apostles, Huntington, Indiana, Our Sunday Visitor, Inc. Pg.153-154
Dear Lord, Heavenly Father, help us to be true members of Your family, saved by Your infinite love and determined to share that love by being instruments of joy and peace to the world. Give us courage to accomplish Your Will as we celebrate Your Son Jesus Christ. Amen
Terence Cardinal Cook, Prayers for Today, Staten Island, NY, Alba House, Pg. 175