We find it difficult, at times, to believe that Jesus, who is God, was ever anything but strong. We see Him as God, but forget He was man as well. Because of the affect of our fragile emotions, we often see ourselves as weak and helpless. Without responding to the grace of God, we would never be able to rise above our emotions and carry out the difficult aspects of God’s will. Unlike Jesus, we want to run from suffering when it comes our way.
Jesus set His face towards Jerusalem, determined to carry out His mission. He is welcomed by the throngs on Palm Sunday as a king. “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord”
(Lk 19 vs 38). But His joy is short lived. As Jesus drew near to Jerusalem, He laments and weeps. He sees the future destruction that will come upon Jerusalem and her inhabitants. “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, how many times I yearned to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her young under her wings, but you were unwilling” (Mt 23 vs 37).
The day after His triumphant entrance, Jesus visits the home of Martha, Mary and Lazarus. With days away from His passion and death, Jesus is looking for the love and comfort of His dear friends. He is not disappointed. Lazarus ate with Him. Martha served Him and Mary took a liter of costly perfumed oil and anointed His feet with it, then dried them with her hair. But even with all that love poured upon Jesus, sorrow shows its head: Judas, the one who would betray him is upset that the oil was not sold and the money used for the poor! Judas is already displaying his lack of love for Our Lord. His words must have deeply wounded Jesus’ heart.
Jesus had already foretold His coming passion and death to His apostles. Judas, as all the apostles, is well aware of that. Now the day draws near when Jesus will reveal His humanity to them. “I am troubled now. Yet what should I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour?’ But it was for this purpose that I came to this hour” (Jn 12 vs 27). Yes, Jesus is God, but He is truly man. He is a man full of emotions and fears as we are, but His trust and love for His Father will enable Him to overcome Himself in fulfilling the Father’s will. It will be the tool and impetus to nail Jesus to the cross. “Who, though He was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, He emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, He humbled Himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross” (Phil 2 vs 6-8).
As Passover approaches, Jesus realizes His time with His apostles is growing short. “He loved His own in the world and He loved them to the end” (Jn 13 vs 1b). There is still so much He needs to do and teach them. This will be a Passover like no other: Jesus will institute the sacraments of Eucharist and the Priesthood. He will wash the feet of the apostles in an effort to teach them to be servants to all. He will also give them a new commandment. “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (Jn 13 vs 34).
Jesus will tell His apostles that one of them will betray Him. He will reveal to Peter his denial, and the fact that all the apostles will flee from Him. He will pray for them and for us to His heavenly Father.
When Jesus had finished speaking to His apostles, they leave for the garden of Gethsemane. Jesus, well aware of what will transpire, asks for the prayers of Peter, James and John. He is about to spiritually and emotionally, take upon Himself the sins of the world – past, present and future. The weight of our sins, knock Him to the ground, where He sweats blood. “Father, if You are willing, take this cup away from Me; still, not My will but Yours be done” And to strengthen Him, an angel appeared from heaven to Him (Lk 22 vs 42-43).
Judas came to the garden and betrayed Jesus with a kiss. The Apostles flee. Peter denies Him. He is tried, scourged, mocked, crowned with thorns and spit upon. The crowd chooses to free a murderer from prison and crucify Jesus. He is led away to His death!
Along the way of the cross, Jesus is both ridiculed and comforted. Simon of Cyrene, the holy women, and of course, our Lady, are there to lighten His load. He arrives at Calvary and is nailed to the cross. His agony continues for three long hours. “Father, forgive them. They know not what they do” (Lk 23 vs 34). “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Mk 15 vs 34b). “Father, into Your hands I commend My spirit” (Lk 24 vs 46b). “I thirst” (Jn 19 vs 28b). “It is finished” ( Jn 19 vs 30).
We can sometimes be so familiar with the passion and suffering of Christ, that we forget how difficult it was for the humanity of Jesus. Take time these last days of Holy Week, and immerse yourself in the passion scriptures. Think about what it must have been like for Jesus. Absorb His words. Meditate on them. Let them sink into your heart. Allow His love, suffering and sacrifice to penetrate into your being. Thank Jesus. Tell Him that you love Him. Let His actions soak deep into your mind and change you forever.
Remember the next time suffering enters into your life, what Jesus endured for you. Ask for His help. Pray to His Father for an angel to assist you. Accept the cross, out of love for Jesus, knowing that the grace is there for our taking. Pray that a Simon of Cyrene would be sent to assist you in carrying your cross. Be consoled, realizing that Jesus trembled when faced with His suffering, but accepted it because of His great love for us!
“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who had passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weakness, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin. So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help” (Heb 4 vs 14-16).
This is profound, thought provoking and brings tears to my eyes. You are correct that we are so familiar with the story we lose sight of the pain, agony and suffering of Jesus' humanity! Thank you for being our Simon of Cyrene, Avia Joy.
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