The kenosis of the king of the universe
Published Nov 20, 2022 12:01 am
REFLECTIONS TODAY
The Lord Jesus can be said to “empty himself” (Greek kenosis) on three occasions.
First, as the Son of God, he emptied himself of divine glory to become a human being in his lowly and mortal condition as “flesh” (Greek sarx).
Secondly, he chose to be born to poor parents and in poor circumstances.
Thirdly, he accepted an ignominious death on the cross like a common criminal.
As a matter of fact, today’s Gospel event that happened on Good Friday at Calvary does not seem appropriate for the festive spirit of the Solemnity of Jesus as Christ the King.
Jesus is presented in the Gospel as a “man of sorrows.” He is stripped of his clothes, scoffed by the rulers, and mocked by soldiers, while the crowds simply stand by.
In Jesus’ time, crucifixion was a form of capital punishment reserved for the vilest criminal. It was obviously a most excruciating and humiliating form of death enforced by the Roman empire to warn and frighten the enemies of the empire.
Jesus’ crucifixion turns out to be unique and different from other crucifixions previously witnessed by the Jews. Calvary would be transformed to a hell-like environment where those punished by crucifixion would utter cuss words against everybody, including God. Jesus, however, shows serenity all throughout the hours he hangs on the cross. He promises paradise to the repentant thief who acknowledges his wrongdoing while pointing to Jesus’ innocence. He asks for forgiveness for his persecutors, for “they know not what they do.” Then he entrusts his spirit to his heavenly Father as he expires.
It is good to ask ourselves: Am I prepared to follow Christ the King who also has the face of the “man of sorrows”? Or am I only ready to follow Jesus as King when he is triumphant and enthroned in glory? Is Jesus Christ truly the king of my life, or do I listen to other kings competing for my loyalty and attention?
Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2022,” St. Pauls, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.
The Lord Jesus can be said to “empty himself” (Greek kenosis) on three occasions.
First, as the Son of God, he emptied himself of divine glory to become a human being in his lowly and mortal condition as “flesh” (Greek sarx).
Secondly, he chose to be born to poor parents and in poor circumstances.
Thirdly, he accepted an ignominious death on the cross like a common criminal.
As a matter of fact, today’s Gospel event that happened on Good Friday at Calvary does not seem appropriate for the festive spirit of the Solemnity of Jesus as Christ the King.
Jesus is presented in the Gospel as a “man of sorrows.” He is stripped of his clothes, scoffed by the rulers, and mocked by soldiers, while the crowds simply stand by.
In Jesus’ time, crucifixion was a form of capital punishment reserved for the vilest criminal. It was obviously a most excruciating and humiliating form of death enforced by the Roman empire to warn and frighten the enemies of the empire.
Jesus’ crucifixion turns out to be unique and different from other crucifixions previously witnessed by the Jews. Calvary would be transformed to a hell-like environment where those punished by crucifixion would utter cuss words against everybody, including God. Jesus, however, shows serenity all throughout the hours he hangs on the cross. He promises paradise to the repentant thief who acknowledges his wrongdoing while pointing to Jesus’ innocence. He asks for forgiveness for his persecutors, for “they know not what they do.” Then he entrusts his spirit to his heavenly Father as he expires.
It is good to ask ourselves: Am I prepared to follow Christ the King who also has the face of the “man of sorrows”? Or am I only ready to follow Jesus as King when he is triumphant and enthroned in glory? Is Jesus Christ truly the king of my life, or do I listen to other kings competing for my loyalty and attention?
Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2022,” St. Pauls, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.