“Not Herod, Not Caiaphas, not Pilate, not Judas ever contrived to fasten upon Jesus Christ the reproach of insipidity; that final indignity was left for pious hands to inflict. To make of his story something that could neither startle nor shock, nor terrify, nor excite, nor inspire a living soul is to crucify the Son of God afresh and put Him to an open shame.” — Dorothy L. Sayers
Have you seen the nail prints in Jesus’ hands, feet and the wound in His side? Have you seen the scars of the whip or the cruel crown of thorns? We’ve all seen the wounds of Christ. For wherever there is pain in this world, Christ is there. Pay attention! We’ve seen the nail marks that pierce the lives of those who suffer from cancer, AIDS, and other insidious diseases. We’ve seen it in the life of the individual who has suddenly lost their job or home in this recession or in the vacant, hopeless eyes of the homeless. We’ve seen the wounded side of Christ in the struggles in Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa, and South America and on both sides of the disputed land in Israel. We’ve seen it in the distended stomachs of those in war torn countries starving. We’ve seen the crown of thorns worn by everyone who has been betrayed by a friend or a system that they trusted. We’ve seen the scars of the whip and felt its pain every time a young person dies driving too fast on Sierra Highway or from alcohol or drug abuse; every time someone’s life seems to cave in and fall apart because of some senseless tragedy. We’ve all seen the marks of the whip, the crown of thorns, the nail prints and the wounds in the suffering of others. That’s part of the price of believing. We’ve been sensitized to the pain and suffering of others. Through Christ’s pain, we suffer their pain.
That’s taking seriously the horrific pain and torture our Lord went through on behalf of this world. The tragedy of that amazing love and sacrifice is what provides the incredible joy of Easter, reminding us that this is not the way it’s supposed to be, nor is it the way it will always be.
Have a Blessed Celebration of Life, because we understand the darkness of death.
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