HOLY WEEK REFLECTIONS : OF LOVING THE MAN

As a child, I knew that Jesus Christ had died for our sins. That through His death we were saved. It was just a mere fact to me. Nothing so much of an impact in my personal being. But it was only in my adult years that I realized what He had gone through, his unbearable pain and sufferings and the humiliation He endured to fulfill God’s divine plan.

I have seen films and heard narratives about the life of Jesus aired especially during Lenten season. The story being told and retold about His passion, death and resurrection. And yes, they will melt your heart for you would see the overflowing love which He had shown for humankind. Then came the Passion of the Christ, the movie, which I have waited with anticipation. Frankly, as christians, we already know His story but what sets apart the movie was the depiction of His agony and how He was brutally scourged to death. The violence and the bloody whipping was so gory that I find it revolting and hellish. I asked myself what kind of a human being could do such a thing to another man, why the cruelty? Is man really capable of such a despicable act. It was unbelievable but it happened. Yes, the vivid portrayal of His agony made my tear ducts active with tears of pity and compunction, and my heart became heavy with sorrow. I know everyone who loves and adores the Man will likely experience what I had felt then.

The film was able to show how Mama Mary had witnessed it all. We know how heartbreaking it is to see someone you so dearly loved being humiliated in the face of so many people watching and slowly killing what to you is your flesh and blood. But we can never get a full grasp of the depth and enormity of pain that Mama Mary had felt then. My deep admiration goes for the woman. The inner strength and the showing of great faith she had for God despite her own agony. Talking about complete submission to the will of God.

Those of us who have watched the movie, what now? Did we see it for curiosity’s sake. I hope not. This is one religious film that should shake and wake us all, regardless of creed and religion. We have one thing in common here, our love for the Man we have neglected and abandoned many times in our lives because of our weaknesses and transgressions. Sometimes, I vowed that I would love Him forever, but in truth I don’t know how to love HIM, (remember the song of Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ, Superstar). I don’t know how to please and love HIM because one way or another I always fall into the trap of sinfulness. I may not have the crimes of Hitler, Stalin, etc. but I am still a sinner and I know everyone is. I don’t know how to love HIM because I am not sure how I should I love HIM back; because the pure and unconditional love that He readily offers despite my imperfections is too much of a prize for me. But that truth is like a balm in my heart that lifts my spirit.

A lot of you may have asked how we could love Jesus. Perhaps, the so-called Fraternity of Kindness started by a pious nun could initiate the changes we want for ourselves for the love of the Man, we adore. In one of her meditations, she says, “if all unkindness will be eliminated from our lives, earth would be almost heaven and so she gave the rules: (1) Not to think unkindly of others; (2) Not to speak unkindly of others; and (3) Not to act unkindly toward others.

I know the Passion of the Christ would not be for naught, if we really start putting HIM in the very core of our heart and mind and let our souls follow His goodness. It won't’ be easy because we live in a very materialistic world, the thing that pushes us farther away from HIM and constrain us to do all sort of sinful ways. Let us try to do away with the evil ways of this earthly life, and remember the sacred blood that Christ had shed and the indescribable pain that He had endured for the love of man. Please remember that the wounds that Jesus Christ had received on His body were Five Thousand Four hundred Fifty five (5,455). Would we like to add more to that pain and suffering? Let us find this Holy Week the most meaningful one. Prayers to you and may the love of God always fill our hearts.

Addendum:

The Fifteen (15) Secret Tortures and Sufferings of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Jesus said, “The Jews considered Me as the most wretched man living on earth so that is why: (1) They fastened My feet with a rope and dragged Me over the stepping stones of the staircase down into a filthy, nauseating cellar. (2) They took off My clothing and stung My body with iron joints. (3) They attached a rope around My body and pulled me along on the ground, from end to end. (4) They hanged Me on a wooden piece with a slipknot until I slipped out and fell down. Overwhelmed by this torture, I wept bloody tears. (5) They tied Me to a post and pierced My body with various arms. (6) They struck Me with stones and burnt Me with blazing embers and torches. (7) They pierced Me with awls; sharp spears tore My skin, flesh and arteries out of My body. (8) They tied Me to a post and made Me stand, barefoot, on an incandescent metal sheet. (9) They crowned Me with an iron crown and wrapped My eyes with the dirtiest possible rags. (10) They made Me sit on a chair covered with sharp pointed nails, causing deep wounds in My body. (11) They poured on My wounds liquid resin and, after this torture, they pressed Me on the nailed chair, so that the nails went deeper and deeper into My flesh. (12) For shame and affliction, they drove needles into the holes of My uprooted beard. Then they tied My hands behind my back and led me walking out of prison with strikes and blows. (13) They threw Me upon a cross and attached Me so tightly that I could hardly breathe anymore. (14) They threw at My head as I lay on the earth. And they stepped on Me, hurting My breast. Then taking a thorn from My crown they drove it into My tongue. (15) They poured into my mouth the most immodest excretions, as they uttered the most infamous expressions about Me. (As revealed by the pious, God loving Sister Mary Magdalen of the Santa Clara, Franciscan, who lived, died and was beatified in Rome).

Jesus said: “I have a most painful wound on my shoulders as I carried the cross on the bitter way to Calvary, which pained me more than did my other wounds, but which was never known because it was never seen. Do honor this wound in your prayers and I will give anything you ask through the merits of this same wound. And all who will venerate from me the remission of this wound will obtain their sins, and I will no longer remember the mortal sins they have committed and already forgotten. (Jesus Christ), as revealed by St. Bernard in Clairvaux, France.

Prayer: O dearest Jesus, Lamb of God, most meek, I, a miserable sinner, render homage and worship to the wounds upon Thy shoulder made by the heavy cross. Thou didst carry. Its weight tore Thy flesh and bared Thy shoulder bones, which caused Thee sufferings more than did Thy other wounds… I adore Thee, O grieving Jesus, I praise, thank Thee for Thy adorable and most painful wound. Vouch safe to grant me, through the excessive pain and unmeasured weight of the cross to have mercy on me a sinner. Forgive me my mortals and venial sins, and guide me on to heaven through the way of cross. Amen.