“My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain
here and keep watch with me.” – Mt 26:38
It is
difficult for those of us familiar with the Passion of Jesus to encounter it as
a love story. Yet, with imagination, we might approach its radical meaning.
Suppose that you and I belong to a tribe deep in a jungle of Africa, Asia,
or South America without any contact to the outside world. Imagine hearing the
Passion proclaimed. We would think that it is completely crazy, wacko,
muy loca! Why would anyone celebrate such a tragic failure of a traveling
preacher who was publicly executed in a most horrifying way? Completely crazy!
From an
outside perspective, Jesus’ passion is absurd. Yet, from a believer’s inside
perspective, it is very different. Through the eyes of faith, his passion is a
moving sacrifice, an incredible act of love, a gesture of self-giving
friendship that our hearts cannot remain neutral or untouched.
This past
Monday, Fr. Frans van der Lugt SJ, one of my Dutch brother Jesuits was martyred
in Syria. He is one of 150,000 people killed in the Syrian civil war. Yet, his
killing struck a chord, because he chose voluntarily not to evacuate the Old
City of Homs. Rather, he wanted to share the plight of the Syrian people, Muslims
and Christians alike, especially the mentally handicapped. He wrote: “The
Syrian people have given me so much, so much kindness, inspiration and
everything they have. If the Syrian people are suffering now, I want to share
their pain and their difficulties.” Living and serving in Syria for 48 years, he
was considered a kind of holy puzzle by many Syrians – a Dutchman who learned
to love Syria perhaps more than they themselves. He was a man of peace who was
dragged out of his house and shot twice in the head.
Grieving
the death of this brother Jesuit helps me to get in touch with the martyrdom of
Jesus. Similarly, Jesus chose to share our plight, especially the suffering. He
was a man of peace, a holy puzzle, who cared deeply, who was executed. Two
similar passions. Two similar love stories.
Jesus’
Passion or Holy Week cannot be experienced as outsiders. It would be absurd.
Yet, when we enter the suffering of anyone around us, including ourselves, his
Passion becomes more real. So would the radical love God has for us.
This week,
let us allow ourselves to be drawn close to the poor, needy, marginalized, or
afflicted. Consider learning about the persecution
of Christians in the Middle East, how the persecution
has increased in the past year, and how religious violence worldwide has reached
new highs.
Lord Jesus, help me this week to
be united with you in my suffering and in solidarity with those who suffer.
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