St Paul of the Cross (1695 –
1775) was utterly convinced that God could be most easily found in the Passion
of Jesus. He formed a community of men (and later a community of nuns) that
would live an evangelical life and promote the love of God revealed in the
Jesus’ Passion. His congregations of men and women are called Passionists.
Such a singular focus could be see
to be unhealthy, and it was a reality that Paul had difficulty attracting
members because of his congregation’s austerity.
But for you and me, our focus
on Jesus’ Passion begins on Palm Sunday and ends on Good Friday. In that time
we are deeply challenged to reflect on the efficacy of Jesus’ suffering and
death. What it achieved for
the first disciples; what it proclaimed
to the people of Jerusalem; what it meant
for the early Christian communities in Rome, Corinth, Thessalonica, Philippi,
Galatia, Ephesus, Colossae etc., what it implies
for all of creation; and finally how it impacts
on me.
When we decide to learn about
something, the greater the commitment we have to the learning experience, the
greater is our learning. The learning itself can and ought lead to a changed, matured, and fuller understanding of
the area of study. For those who chose to read, study and examine the Passion
narratives the richness is quite overwhelming. Jesus’ Passion moves well beyond
efficacy to transformative and
ultimately, salvific. If we allow it,
the impact will be extraordinary.
And if this is so, how does it
change the way I live and work? Just as for Paul of the Cross, the Passion of
Jesus becomes a lens through which I view the world, my behaviour towards
others and my actions. If I act like Jesus, I am unselfish, I am full
of compassion, I am prepared to carry
the pain of those I love, I will share
all that I am.
As we enter this final week of
our preparation for Easter, I firmly encourage you to see beyond the latter day
customs of chocolate eggs, hot cross buns and fluffy bunny rabbits.
A community of Passionist
priests and brothers is present in Hobart at St Joseph’s in the city.
