We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you. Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
In many ways this is the cruellest of the stations – cruel in that it is so unnecessary. Who could possibly have wanted the garments he was wearing – bloodstained, sweat soaked, torn and destroyed? What was to be gained in taking them? The one who won the casting of lots for the seamless garment – what did he do with it? Quite likely it never made it beyond Calvary. That’s what so cruel about it – that it was beyond, way beyond what was needed. It was violation at its worst.
To take away what’s left to a person is wrong. Quite often the one thing we have in life that is unique to us is our name and ideally we can place the word “good” before that – our “good name”. There are times it may well be all that we have left. Yet, at times, it is taken too. Taken with vengeance and determination so that, like Jesus on the Cross, we are left emotionally naked with nothing to cover our shame, disappointment or brokenness.
What is it that drives people to the point of wanting to do this to another? Hate, you’d imagine, has to be at the core of such a choice.
Is it possible we need to feel the draft of nakedness ourselves and the vulnerability of losing what’s left to us before we can truly reflect on the need to leave others their dignity.
That “Golden Rule” pops up again, “treat others as you would wish them to treat you” …. It’s likely there’d be a lot less ripping, a lot less tearing, a lot less cutting if we allowed that sink in a bit more.
Oh, that today we would listen to his voice, let us harden not our hearts.
I sincerely appreciate the thoughtful reflection on each of the stations. So relevant and thought provoking.
Thanks Cathy, to be honest I wondered if they were making any difference so your word is as timely as it’s appreciated. Vincent
I think the reflections have been lovely. I’m sure they are being read, but we don’t always let people know when we appreciate something. Cathy