Lesson 4
Good day, friends and seekers of compassion and transformation, today we gather to encounter the profound message that emanates from the symbol of Jesus’ cross—an emblem that uncovers the very core of God’s solidarity with human suffering. As we navigate the path of living in harmony with the world’s pain, refusing to flee from necessary suffering, we find ourselves confronted with myriad “crucifixions.” It is often said that pain is the discomfort experienced in our physical being, while suffering originates from our resistance, our denial, and our perception of injustice or discord around that pain. I speak from experience when I say this truth resonates deeply within me. This essence of suffering holds a profound significance on various levels, one we each come to understand through life’s arduous lessons. Pain, it seems, is the fee we pay for our humanity, while suffering, more often than not, remains a choice. It is Jesus’ deliberate acceptance of unwarranted suffering—a genuine manifestation of solidarity with the world’s agony—that the cross symbolizes. The contemplation of this enigmatic act of love has the power to reshape the contours of our lives.
The Invitation to Solidarity
In the acceptance of the call to stand in unity with the world’s encompassing pain lies the heart of what it means to be “a Christian.” The commitment to this path necessitates a profound inner liberation. Jesus’ life, a choice, a vocation, extends before us as an option—a call to which we are free to respond with a yes, a no, or a perhaps. It is crucial to understand that embracing this path isn’t requisite to earn God’s love; such love is already bestowed upon us. Instead, it’s a means to reciprocate that love, to love what God loves in the way that God loves. This journey presents us with the opportunity to be baptized “into his death” and “resurrection.” If undertaken with sincerity, it becomes a system of transformation capable of altering the very fabric of the world.
The Compassionate God in Suffering
The concept of the “crucified God,” epitomized in the person of Jesus, vividly underscores that God stands steadfastly with suffering wherever it may be found. This includes the wounded soldiers on opposing sides of wars, the victims as well as the perpetrators across our world—a truth that may not find favor with everyone. Our contemporary world thrives on resisting suffering; this resistance has grown into a powerful industry, symbolized by the unyielding grasp of the gun lobby and the perpetuation of a war economy. It’s marked by the aversion to sharing profits with the less fortunate and the constant pursuit of entertainment. Perhaps this is why courage is hailed as the foundational virtue underlying all others, courage born of a heart in action (cor-agere). The path of solidarity with suffering, both of others and our own, demands immense courage, testing our mettle in ways we can scarcely anticipate.
The Crucified Humanity and New Creation
As we embark on this transformative journey, we realize that we are not meant to tread it alone. It is through our deep identification with the Crucified One and the crucified humanity that we navigate this path. Jesus, in his infinite grace, operates through us, with us, and for us, birthing a “new creation” (Galatians 6:15) and shaping us into a different kind of human being. This isn’t a solitary venture; it’s an intimate partnership with Jesus, a divine collaboration that leads us to embody a profound transformation of self and society alike.
As we contemplate the resonance of Jesus’ cross and the revelation of God’s solidarity with suffering, let us embark on this journey of courage, transformation, and compassion. May we be guided by the understanding that to be Christian is to mirror the love and life of Jesus, becoming instruments of change in a world longing for renewal.
