Recently, I heard a comment from a concerned person, "I think the crucifixion of Christ is too graphic for my children." This of course is not the first time I heard this type of comment. Our liturgical calendar leads us through Lent and into Holy Week where we hear more and more about the suffering, crucifixion of Christ in preparation of the Resurrection event.
I still remember how hard it was for Marlane and I to share the reality of Jesus' suffering and death with our children...yes, it would definitely be a PG14 or R rating for some of the accounts and surmises of the this horrendous event that changed the world. Yet, that did not stop us from sharing it with our children. If our children could ask the questions, and they did, they deserved the answers.
It is pretty interesting how we as adults, and even some of our children sitting with us, have no problem with viewing CSI shows, reality TV, horrendous horror stories concerning murder, death, suicides, and the like. Yet, when it comes to the suffering and death of Christ, we want to avoid as much as possible, and gaze upon the empty cross only. We want to avoid any mention or thought of what Christ has done for the world. We definitely want to jump from the Hosannas of Palm Sunday to the Hallelujahs of Easter Sunday, and sidestep the passion of Christ.
But that is not what God would want us to do. God wants us to know and understand what God's sacrifice of His Son meant for us. God wants us to imagine and experience what Jesus went through to bring meaning to our celebration of Holy Communion, Jesus' body and blood given for the forgiveness of sin. God gave it all...and we should teach it to other adults and to our children.
Yes, the Passion is a terrible and horrid event in the life of Christ, but the event was for us. If others or our children as questions about the suffering and death of Christ, we should be prepared and readily give an explanation, and give them the rest of the story toward the Resurrection. Let's not avoid the reality. People love "reality" shows and we have a true reality that transforms lives and the world. Don't be afraid of the passion of Christ, but embrace it with a humble spirit and share it with others.
Friday, March 27, 2009
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1 comment:
I wonder if the Children of Israel sheltered their children from the sacrifice of the Passover lamb?
It's hard to look at that amount of suffering. When we contemplate the passion, we not only see all the deserved punishment for the sins we have committed (and will commit), but everyone else's punishment heaped on to one man's back. It is an absolute crushing load.
You can't get to the empty cross without the passion, it's true. And it's good to spend some time reflecting it, but its also good that is only a short time. It's painful, it's humbling, it's unspeakable sorrow. The calendar immediately moves us forward and we focus on the empty tomb and empty cross.
The cross truly is the intersection of the worst of man and the best of God. The ultimate in justice and the ultimate in grace is presented at the cross. Here, we come to crossroad in our life, the chance to choose the way that leads to life . . . or not.
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