This Sunday we reflect on the readings of the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ. The readings are clearly about suffering and ultimately a God like path to be followed in our own lives. Much has been written on the question of why do good people suffer? Suffering is confusing and stirs emotion. Suffering seems to be part of the human condition. We can also grow and mature in our faith during times of suffering. We as a faith people are open to God and a deeper study of Jesus life and death.
Isaiah 50:4-7:
This passage refers to a person, group, or nation of people who are in the process of suffering. A foreshadowing of a suffering servant archetype. What is striking is the internal strength of the one suffering. We see the one suffering does so willingly, focused on, and trusting God. The servant is not weak but strong. Standing tall, relying on God each morning who lifts them up in their suffering. “My face I did not shield”. “I have not rebelled”. “The Lord is my help; I am not disgraced”. Isaiah is foreshadowing Christ’s suffering as an example that we can follow in our own lives.
Philippians 2:6-11:
We see Jesus as both human and divine. He has emptied himself taking the form of a slave. He is humble even unto death. Jesus is emphasizing the humbling of oneself in the service of others. Even in persecution and suffering. He is revealing to us how to live a God like loving life and peaceful life.
Gospel: Mark 14:1-15:47:
The passion story, is it a love story? A narrative of Godly inspired events? A faith drama? Or a real person’s life experience full of betrayal, abandonment, fear, persecution, confusion, sorrow, suffering, and death?
Depending on your perspective or current world view; it may be all of the above. If we look deep at ourselves and the people we know we may recognize that we have experienced all of this suffering in one way or another. How do we respond in everyday life to the lessons taught by the passion? Study Jesus reaction and the way he responds. It runs counter to our human nature. Our nature is to protect ourselves at all costs. To fight back when accused wrongly. To fight and if overwhelmed then retreat into ourselves. To harbor vengeance and seek revenge when the time is right. To go along with the crowd to get along. Not to speak up for fear of hurting someone’s feelings or damage our “reputation”.
Jesus in that day and time was turning everything upside down. He was teaching that God wants us be a servant not to be served. Consider how God’s love is long suffering. Just read some of the old testament. God supported his people when they didn’t support him like a loving parent. Jesus said blood sacrifices are not needed for the Father’s love. Compassion and mercy for your enemy. A special love for the down-trodden and the poor. He was always pointing the way to his father. This didn’t go over well with the civil and religious authority, so they had to make a plan to silence him or get rid of him.
How do we respond in the modern world? This day we can let the passion account wash over us and cleanse our reaction to suffering, our thoughts, and speech. The passion story for me is to observe Godly responses to everyday life events. In both small circumstances and large ones. We are not hung on a cross as modern people but we too have crosses to bear. Just ask anyone who has lost someone special to them.
Consider the reaction of our humanness and Jesus reaction as a Godly way to respond. Gospel Account:
A woman has anointed Jesus with fine oil. The people say she is wasting expensive oil that can be sold and the money used elsewhere. Full of judgement and criticism. Jesus believes she is doing something out of the kindness in her heart. Giving all she can give. He is standing up to the crowd and although they may have a point, why be critical are they jealous because it wasn’t their idea? He is the only one supporting her when she may feel humiliated.
Judas, the friend who betrays Jesus. Judas has the perspective that if he turns Jesus over to the civil authorities he will get a lot of money (so he thinks), praise, and acceptance from the people in power. Jesus does not fight back. A friend betrays him. The rest of his friends run away. In modern terms he is “ghosted” by everyone. Everyone leaves him because it is obviously “unpopular” to be close to him.
Peter assures Jesus he would never deny him. Peter denies him anyway. He feels his reputation and life is in danger. Jesus response – he loves Peter and does not hold this against him. Jesus is long suffering with Peter. Like the parent or friend of someone they love.
Pilate confronting Jesus at trial to finally explain himself. How would I/we respond? Let’s hire a lawyer we’re go to fight it. Then we’ll sue everyone who is responsible. Jesus doesn’t offer any explanation to an obviously unfair proceeding. He already knows the outcome.
The crowds sneering and insulting Jesus. The crowds calling for his death. The authorities abusing him both physically and mentally. Could I/we stand for that? No, I/we would be yelling and fighting right back at them. Jesus response is forgiving them for they know not what they are doing.
Jesus nailed to the cross. The people continue to insult him even in the presence of his mother. They approve of releasing a prisoner named Barrabas. Barrabas by all accounts is described as a murdering psychopath. The worst criminal in prison. Pilate must have thought to himself; Jesus doesn’t seem guilty of this so I’ll suggest someone worse to release. They will never want that guy set free. But they people do. So a guilty one goes free and an innocent one is persecuted.
Jesus on the cross. He cries out in his loneliness and suffering, “God why have you forsaken me”, a very human reaction. Where is God in the midst of our trouble? Jesus is taking all of our sin, suffering, and heartache on the cross. The last sacrifice. No old testament blood sacrifices and burnt offerings to be required in God’s house. Jesus has taught us in this final lesson by how he lived and now he is teaching us in his death. It’s okay to be human. It’s okay to be in sorrow. Jesus is our guiding light. The one who walked through the fire in gratitude. He is our prize, the suffering servant.
We are not going to be hung on the cross these days. So how can we live by and honor the passion of Christ in our everyday lives? We can use the passion to make Godly choices:
Such as:
Do not fear take action and ask Jesus to help us make choices to help others. Not to roll my eyes and feel its inconvenient.
Stand up for truth even if it may not be popular. Be the champion for someone.
Keep your faith in God in your suffering. Just as Mother Mary and the others stood by in silent support. We can also.
Bear your cross and don’t be afraid to pray and ask someone to help. Have a long suffering attitude.
Make peace and transform your grudges. Have sympathy and compassion in all things. Be humble and don’t focus on revenge.
Don’t give in to gossip. Care less about interpersonal power.
So what is the passion story? Jesus showed us how to live and how to die in his humanness. He goes to the grave for three days. For us, his people, each day is a series of deaths and resurrections. If we suffer, walk through the fire and chaos and come out of it with faith and gratitude.