Holy Week 2011 Reflection #1
Carlito's reply to my SMS last night about the Holy Week exhibits in BGC (specifically about the crosses that you can carry): "Oo nga. I mean all the pain na nararamdaman natin sa runs, climbing, sa gym, it's painful, it's tiring pero it's nothing compared to what Christ went through. Walang siyang support crew, Judas betrayed Him, Peter denied him, minumura at linalatigo pa siya throughout the entire course. And the sad part was when he reached the finish line, he got crucified and mocked even more pa. And the irony was He went through all that pain to save those who hurt Him, all of us, who abandoned him in our times of selfishness. Grabe talaga willpower niya. Imagine, he could've had it easy, isang snap lang, wala na captors, pero no, he took the road less traveled, forgiving them instead and being humble. Kakaiba talaga. Sorry napahaba. Christ is awesome! Night!"
To be honest, I was never really able to empathize with what Christ went through on his journey to Calvary. Yes, as a Catholic student I was taught that Christ had a difficult time, but without physical, mental or emotional pain even remotely close to His, that was as far as I went. But after what I went through during the marathon, I feel that I can relate to Him. I can be one with Him in His suffering.
The crosses in the exhibit were heavy. So heavy that neither Matt or I couldn't lift them. It'd probably take the both of us to get one off the stand. But to carry one a few feet from there was virtually impossible. I was thinking about how disheartened I felt when I was running alone; how I wanted to give up when the sun was beating down on me, and when I started feeling pain. But unlike Jesus, I was not bruised, thirsty or forced to go the course. It was my choice, and I was prepared for it.
And that CROSS.
Jesus had that heavy burden on His shoulders. If there are runners that don't carry hydration belts because they feel the belt is heavy, just imagine a big wooden cross on one of your shoulders. Not only that, whereas I was supported by so many amazing people, Jesus was jeered at. And His wall was probably when He thought about God in heaven. Runner's would ask themselves, "why am I doing this?" or "why am I running such an insane distance?". Jesus must have asked, "Father, why are you letting them do this to me? Do you not love me?" Physical pain couple with emotional abuse and mental doubt would have gotten anyone to give up. But not Him. He kept going. And what waited for Him at the finish line was not a medal, not a loot bag. There was no one there to hug Him and tell Him that He was amazing and had done a great job. His reward for reaching the finish line: more pain and suffering.
His was truly an act of PERFECT LOVE. Because despite everything, He forgave us. He went through all that, FOR US. This is just another reason why I'm thankful for my marathon experience. It has made me closer to Jesus.
To be honest, I was never really able to empathize with what Christ went through on his journey to Calvary. Yes, as a Catholic student I was taught that Christ had a difficult time, but without physical, mental or emotional pain even remotely close to His, that was as far as I went. But after what I went through during the marathon, I feel that I can relate to Him. I can be one with Him in His suffering.
The crosses in the exhibit were heavy. So heavy that neither Matt or I couldn't lift them. It'd probably take the both of us to get one off the stand. But to carry one a few feet from there was virtually impossible. I was thinking about how disheartened I felt when I was running alone; how I wanted to give up when the sun was beating down on me, and when I started feeling pain. But unlike Jesus, I was not bruised, thirsty or forced to go the course. It was my choice, and I was prepared for it.
And that CROSS.
Jesus had that heavy burden on His shoulders. If there are runners that don't carry hydration belts because they feel the belt is heavy, just imagine a big wooden cross on one of your shoulders. Not only that, whereas I was supported by so many amazing people, Jesus was jeered at. And His wall was probably when He thought about God in heaven. Runner's would ask themselves, "why am I doing this?" or "why am I running such an insane distance?". Jesus must have asked, "Father, why are you letting them do this to me? Do you not love me?" Physical pain couple with emotional abuse and mental doubt would have gotten anyone to give up. But not Him. He kept going. And what waited for Him at the finish line was not a medal, not a loot bag. There was no one there to hug Him and tell Him that He was amazing and had done a great job. His reward for reaching the finish line: more pain and suffering.
His was truly an act of PERFECT LOVE. Because despite everything, He forgave us. He went through all that, FOR US. This is just another reason why I'm thankful for my marathon experience. It has made me closer to Jesus.