Maundy Thursday 2020: Reflection 1- Dignity in the face of violence


- For details of the image of this image, taken by Jonathan Bachman of Reuters can be found here: https://fortune.com/2016/07/11/baton-rouge-protests-photo/amp/

When I first saw this image in 2012 I was immediately reminded of the account of the arrest of Jesus in the Gospel of St John (below):

After Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the Kidron valley to a place where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, because Jesus often met there with his disciples. So Judas brought a detachment of soldiers together with police from the chief priests and the Pharisees, and they came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. Then Jesus, knowing all that was to happen to him, came forward and asked them, ‘For whom are you looking?’ They answered, ‘Jesus of Nazareth.’ Jesus replied, ‘I am he.’ Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. When Jesus said to them, ‘I am he’, they stepped back and fell to the ground. Again he asked them, ‘For whom are you looking?’ And they said, ‘Jesus of Nazareth.’ Jesus answered, ‘I told you that I am he. So if you are looking for me, let these men go.’ This was to fulfil the word that he had spoken, ‘I did not lose a single one of those whom you gave me.’ Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear. The slave’s name was Malchus. Jesus said to Peter, ‘Put your sword back into its sheath. Am I not to drink the cup that the Father has given me?’ 

So the soldiers, their officer, and the Jewish police arrested Jesus and bound him.
[John 18.1-12]

Returning to the photo, there is a sense with the woman of peacefulness and calm, whereas the police are all movement and action. There is also a sense in which the police are falling back from the woman almost as though they are overwhelmed by her presence and dignity, just as the mob fell back from Jesus when they came to arrest him.

 [---]


When the artist Hieronymus Bosch (d.1516) came to depict the arrest of Jesus (above) and his receiving the Crown of Thornes as depicted by the artist (below) he does something interesting, he shows Jesus as the calm centre of the picture. Whereas those around him are intent on violence and mockery, Jesus is calm and peaceful, submitting to their humiliating tactics. They are filled with lewd violence, he is calm and collected. They are all action, yet it is Christ who is in control of the situation, he is willingly submitting to them, though they recognise this not, seeing it as weakness.


The Christ we meet today and tomorrow is one who greets is not as a King enthroned, but as a suffering servant. Today and on Good Friday, victory will be found in defeat, light in darkness, and life in death. Tomorrow the world will be turned upside down.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Reflection for the Feast of St Luke

Image
We all, I am sure, have our favourite Gospel. For some it will be Matthew, where Jesus is the man of the fulfilment of history and Biblical prophecy, one in whom the pieces of the of the Old Testament jigsaw come to fulfilment. Others will favour St Mark, with his action packed, breathless life of Jesus, where Jesus only stops to pray, eat, or sleep. Then there is the mystical Gospel of St John which links eternity with human history, a gospel in which earth reached up to touch heaven, and heaven reaches down to earth.   My favourite Gospel is that of St Luke. I like Luke because he is a compassionate storyteller. The Jesus we meet in Luke’s Gospel wis one who links human life into the story of God. From Luke we get our best loved parables, those of the Lost Son (the Prodigal) and the Good Samaritan, stories of a God who comes alongside us when we are in need. A God who hitches up the skirts of his robe and rushes out to meet us with joy, even when we feel at our worst. ...
Read more

Liturgy for the Longest Night/ Blue Christmas service

  Longest Night/   Blue Christmas Service   Hymn:  O come, O come, Emmanuel O come, O come, Emmanuel! Redeem thy captive Israel That into exile drear is gone, Far from the face of God's dear Son. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.   O come, thou Wisdom from on high, Who madest all in earth and sky, Creating man from dust and clay, To us reveal salvations’s way. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.   Greeting The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. All:      And also with you.   The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; on those who live in a land of deep shadow, a light has shone. For the yoke that was weighing upon them, and the burden upon their shoulders, you have broken in pieces, O God, our Redeemer.   Today we sit on the Eve of the longest nigh...
Read more

Reflection for the Feast of St Laurence, Deacon and Martyr (Monday 10 August 2020)

Image
Today the Church celebrates the life of St Laurence the Deacon and Martyr. St Laurence is one of my favourite saints because of they way in which he stood up to power, and the way in which in doing so he showed what rally matters in the economy of God. The story of St Laurence is that at the time of his martyrdom the Church was suffering persecution. Laurence had been summoned by the Prefect of Rome to present to him the treasures of the Church, of which he had custody. St Laurence dutifully arrived, bearing not beautiful vestments, expensive silverware and books, but accompanied by the poor and need. “These” he said “a re the treasures of the Church!” , he is also reported to have said "The Church is truly rich, far richer than your emperor."  Of course those in power do not appreciate being made to look foolish, and he sentenced Laurence to death. Laurence was imprisoned prior to his martyrdom, and spent the time preaching and baptising those he was impris...
Read more