EDGES MAGAZINE Issue 25

April 2001

SPIRITUAL REFLECTION
 
When I was ordained in 1974, I rather arrogantly had printed on my ordination card, 'I am all at once what Christ is, since He was what I am.' I thought the poet Hopkins was referring to priesthood, when in fact, he was writing about what 'is' after the resurrection experience.

Most of the time, even though one is part of the resurrection since baptism, I find my experiences seem more like 'before' the resurrection than 'after'. Working alongside so many other people here at T.H.O.M.A.S., broken and pained, I don't feel quite as isolated in this particular area of life, as I used to.

I was brought up on the rather muscular spirituality of St. Ignatius, where one 'fought and did not heed the wounds.' But the wounds are important. I've seen lots of wounds over the years, and don't have to look too deep to see them in myself. I was once ashamed of my wounds. I felt I was meant to be different.

At this time of year when we are called to reflect on the passion of Christ, and of the world, it would seem that wounds are of the essence. Christ's broken and abused body can be seen every day at our house. The cross is not something you wear around your neck here, but rather something you feel, see and sometimes want to run away from. But it won't go away and it casts a long shadow. The shadows and false kisses of Gethsemane, the scourged frightened flesh, the head crowned with pain, the cross which always brings you down to earth again, with nailed hands and feet that you cannot hide, even if you wanted to, are all here everyday to keep us in touch with what it really costs.

On Good Friday when we kiss the cross we are called not just to remember His passion, but our own as well. When I kiss this cross I am saying 'yes' to whatever mine is, and 'yes' to being involved in other people's.

Father John Michael Hanvey.
 

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. Material Copyright © 2001 THOMAS (Those on the Margins of a Society)
THOMAS is an integral part of Catholic Welfare Societies, Registered Charity number 503102