As we hear the Passion narrative read, it may be hard for us to enter into it because it is so familiar. The scourging is familiar. The crown of thorns is familiar. The mocking is familiar. The crucifix is familiar. The spear is familiar. Because of this familiarity, we may fail to be properly shocked. Because this kind of cruelty and mockery and suffering IS shocking.
But even more shocking is the merciful love that motivates it. We may fail to be properly shocked by this stupendous mercy and love as well. Because we are accustomed to being those who have been saved, accustomed to having a Savior, accustomed to the way of grace and the closeness of our God in the sacraments, we often fail to see how absolutely helpless and hopeless we truly are on our own.
We were lost. Mankind, and each and every one of us individually, were hopelessly lost. We had been captured by the Enemy of all that is good, chained to sin and death and despair, ruled over by one who hates us. Filled with infirmity and stricken with suffering, alone and running in our own futile circles and unable to free ourselves. We were all lost sheep, in a land that was doomed to death.
But Love came to bear our infirmities, to endure our sufferings. Love entered our doomed world to overcome the enemy in the most surprising and shocking way: He was “pierced for our offenses, crushed for our sins… cut off from the land of the living and smitten for the sin of his people.” What we earned by our sin and selfishness, He absorbed into himself; “the Lord was pleased to crush him in infirmity.” He freely and peacefully surrendered His life as an offering for sin; He suffered, died, and was buried. For me. For you.
He became the Man of Sorrows so that we could know true joy. He took away our sins by carrying them in His own person to Calvary so that we could be redeemed. He endured darkness so that we could know light; he overcame death so that we could live forever.
May we be properly shocked and shaken at the mysterious ways of God, which wrought our salvation to eternal life with Him through the horrific execution of His only-begotten Son. May we be properly shocked at the infinite and incomprehensible love of the Savior, Who willingly laid down his life, pouring himself out utterly, for us poor sinners, whom he loves.
There is no greater love. And that is what makes this Friday “Good”.
Al escuchar la narración de la Pasión, puede resultarnos difícil conmovernos profundamente porque nos resulta muy familiar. La flagelación es familiar. La corona de espinas es familiar. Las burlas son familiares. El crucifijo es familiar. La lanza es familiar. Debido a esta familiaridad, quizás no nos conmocionemos como deberíamos. Porque este tipo de crueldad, burla y sufrimiento ES impactante.
Pero aún más impactante es el amor misericordioso que lo motiva. Quizás tampoco nos conmocionemos como deberíamos ante esta estupenda misericordia y amor. Porque estamos acostumbrados a ser los que hemos sido salvados, acostumbrados a tener un Salvador, acostumbrados al camino de la gracia y a la cercanía de nuestro Dios en los sacramentos, a menudo no logramos ver cuán absolutamente indefensos y desesperados somos por nosotros mismos.
Estábamos perdidos. La humanidad, y cada uno de nosotros individualmente, estábamos irremediablemente perdidos. Habíamos sido capturados por el Enemigo de todo lo bueno, encadenados al pecado, a la muerte y a la desesperación, gobernados por alguien que nos odia. Llenos de debilidad y afligidos por el sufrimiento, solos y dando vueltas en nuestros propios círculos inútiles e incapaces de liberarnos. Éramos todas ovejas perdidas, en una tierra condenada a la muerte.
Pero el Amor vino a cargar con nuestras debilidades, a soportar nuestros sufrimientos. El Amor entró en nuestro mundo condenado para vencer al enemigo de la manera más sorprendente e impactante: Él fue “traspasado por nuestras rebeliones, triturado por nuestros crímenes... Lo arrancaron de la tierra de los vivos, lo hirieron de muerte por los pecados de mi pueblo”. Lo que merecíamos por nuestro pecado y egoísmo, Él lo absorbió en sí mismo; “El Señor quiso triturarlo con el sufrimiento”. Él entregó libre y pacíficamente su vida como ofrenda por el pecado; sufrió, murió y fue sepultado. Por mí. Por ti.
Se convirtió en el Hombre de Dolores para que pudiéramos conocer la verdadera alegría. Quitó nuestros pecados llevándolos en su propia persona al Calvario para que pudiéramos ser redimidos. Soportó la oscuridad para que pudiéramos conocer la luz; venció la muerte para que pudiéramos vivir para siempre.
Que nos conmocionemos y nos estremezcamos ante los misteriosos caminos de Dios, que obró nuestra salvación a la vida eterna con Él a través de la horrible ejecución de su Hijo unigénito. Que nos conmueva profundamente el amor infinito e incomprensible del Salvador, quien voluntariamente entregó su vida, entregándose por completo por nosotros, pobres pecadores, a quienes tanto ama.
No existe amor más grande. Y eso es lo que hace que este viernes sea “Santo”.
Kathryn Mulderink, MA, is married to Robert, Station Manager for Holy Family Radio. Together they have seven children (including Father Rob), and eleven grandchildren. She is President of the local community of Secular Discalced Carmelites and has published five books and many articles. Over the last 30 years, she has worked as a teacher, headmistress, catechist, Pastoral Associate, and DRE, and as a writer and voice talent for Catholic Radio. Currently, she serves the Church by writing and speaking, and by collaborating with various parishes and to lead others to encounter Christ and engage their faith. Her website is www.KathrynTherese.com
Feature Image Credit: Julius Kronberg, art.diocesan.com/stock-photo/after-jesus-was-taken-down-from-the-cross-16503/
The views and opinions expressed in the Inspiration Daily blog are solely those of the original authors and contributors. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Diocesan, the Diocesan staff, or other contributors to this blog.