Presider: We adore You O Christ, and we praise You. (genuflect)
All: Because by Your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the world.
REFLECTION:
Everything that Jesus does in His passion is for the redemption of fallen humanity. In the Garden in his pre-fallen state, man is not embarrassed by his lack of clothing. In fact, it allows for an utter freedom—to be himself the way that God created him without the distractions, temptations, and twisting caused by sin. It is only after the Fall that mankind is ashamed to be seen in the manner that he was created. As a last attempt at humiliating Jesus before He is nailed to the cross, the Romans strip Him of His clothes, leaving Him exposed to the world. It is through this humiliation, that God is overturning the original shame of mankind that came through the first sin of Adam, which saw him having to clothe himself out of disgrace.
MEDITATION:
Consider how difficult it can be to reveal that we are imperfect, sinful creatures in need of grace. Yet, our Father in Heaven knows our sin and seeks to fill us with His life and love, particularly through the sacrament of Penance. It is essential that we shed our mantles of shame and run to our Father who can restore us to new life that was won for us through the shame of the cross.
SUGGESTED ACTION STEPS:
There are many who suffer from a lack of physical clothing and suffer because of it. Every member of the family can go through their closets and find at least one item to donate to those in need. About spiritual clothing, find the time to attend confession as a family in order to allow God to bring us out of our shame and into new life with Him.
PRAYER:
Jesus, you bore immense suffering and shame for our sake. Instead of asking us to be stripped, beaten, and nailed to a cross, you did it for us in our place. Always make us aware of this great love that sustains us. May we find solace and comfort in the arms outstretched for our salvation. Amen.
BY: Gina and Stephen Deighan, Catholic School Teachers
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