Heart of Jesus, Overwhelmed with Insults
The men who held Jesus in custody were ridiculing and beating him. They blindfolded him and questioned him, saying, "Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?" And they reviled him in saying many other things against him” (Lk 22:63-65)
Jesus as a man suffered a lot of insults and humiliation. The Incarnation itself was the humbleness of Jesus. Saint Paul writes about it: " Who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance" (Phil 2: 6 - 7). Jesus voluntarily accepts humbleness and reveals his great humility. Walking on the earth many times he was despised and rejected. He himself said that " A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house." (Mk 6:4) He was not discouraged by these experiences. Always He was coming to people with love.
The insult that Jesus experienced has reached its peak in passion and shameful death. The whole process was one great humiliation of God in Jesus. We remember the scene when the soldiers removed his robes and put on him a scarlet mantle, put a crown of thorns on his head and gave a cane to his hands. They beat him in the head, laughed at him, mocked him. (cf. Mt 27, 27-30). This was the fate of Jesus from man. Later they crucified him among two thieves. (cf. Mt 27, 38). Jesus received these insults with quietness and humility. Through them he won us salvation. Let us thank Jesus for an example of meek and humble tolerance.
LIVE THE WORD! Look how you accept humiliation and contempt. Do you want to be praised and exalted at all costs? Try to praise and appreciate someone close to you.
Until Tomorrow
fr. george