Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but ]emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:5-11
Haya, pues, en ustedes esta actitud que hubo también en Cristo Jesús, el cual, aunque existía en forma de Dios, no consideró el ser igual a Dios como algo a qué aferrarse, sino que se despojó a Sí mismo tomando forma de siervo, haciéndose semejante a los hombres. Y hallándose en forma de hombre, se humilló Él mismo, haciéndose obediente hasta la muerte, y muerte de cruz. Por lo cual Dios también lo exaltó hasta lo sumo, y le confirió el nombre que es sobre todo nombre, para que al[d] nombre de Jesús se doble toda rodilla de los que están en el cielo, y en la tierra, y debajo de la tierra, y toda lengua confiese que Jesucristo es Señor, para gloria de Dios Padre. Filipenses 2:5-11
I have noticed something about crucifixes that intrigues me. Here in the US (and I think other “first world” countries as well), for the most part our crucifixes are quite pristine. On some, Jesus shows no sign of suffering, and generally there is very little blood. He looks so holy. He doesn’t look like someone who has been beaten and hung on a cross to die.
That is not so in the countries of Central & South America/Mexico. Their images of Christ on the cross show him suffering, and at times, almost grotesque. There is blood, agony, there is pain, and yes, it is obvious that he is suffering.
Why this difference? Could it be because we, who maybe aren’t as exposed to this kind of suffering, like to shield ourselves from it? We talk about embracing the suffering we endure, but we really don’t want to do that. We want it to be clean, pristine, and holy. In reality, suffering is not that. It is bloody, painful and horrible. When you come from generations of people who have lived through oppression, genocide, war, and extreme poverty, your perspective is different. Perhaps our first real experience of that was with the film “The Passion of the Christ”. People in our society were shocked and moved when they saw it. But most of us have not experienced or witnessed such agony in person.
While I know there are people in my own culture who have suffered greatly, I have to admit, I haven’t suffered much in my life. Even during this time of being isolated from others, I find that I have pretty much everything that I need. I am more dependent on others to run errands and do things for me – and that is frustrating. But my suffering is minimal.
Those who, in the next few days, see Christ as truly suffering can either identify with real suffering, or are able to pull back the blinders and know that others do suffer as Christ suffered. While we can’t personally experience the misery of others, we can learn from it, appreciate it and even spiritually enter into it. In the past few weeks we have shared some reflections written by immigrants. They have suffered. Some have crossed a desert with many dangers and physical as well as psychological trauma. Some have been unwelcomed and mistreated. Some have had their families ripped apart, and profoundly feel that separation from those that they love. But as we read their reflections on scripture, we see that they chose not to dwell on their anguish. They all acknowledge that in the midst of what they have been through, they have experienced the presence of God, and are certain that He walks with them. And, they express how blessed they are. As part of our Holy Week prayer, may we also walk with them as we journey with Christ to Calvary, and may we know how blessed we are.
Lisa Kremer OFS – Catholic Charities Parish Social Ministry Coordinator for the Worthington Deanery