Tenth Station

Source: thegoodliffechurch.org

Enemies wanted to humiliate you. They feared what you saw in their hypocrisy. They feared learning the truth. So in addition to the whipping, and torture, they stripped off your clothes to make you look weaker. Lord, in seeing your naked body, we know you understand the humiliation we lesbian, gay, transgendered, and bi-sexual believers are sometimes subjected to.

You are with us when people say things about us that are not true. You were misunderstood, just as we sometimes are. You teach us to refuse shame.  You teach us that through our bodies we communicate acceptance, sharing, kindness, and affection.

Your willingness not to flee from wrongful accusations and keep integrity with our Heavenly Father, is an example of patience and how to love our enemies, even in the face of persecution.

Rather than return insults with anger and sarcasm, you took the role of suffering servant. Your nakedness speaks volumes on the power of the body. Rather than shame, your crucified image communicates sharing in our human suffering.

You know what its like to be the mocked outsider.

You know what its like to be lied about.

You know what its like to be laughed at.

Lord Jesus, give us the wisdom to communicate truth and love through our bodies. Teach us to show compassion even to our enemies, and to forgive them, for they know not what they do.

John Montague earned his Master of Divinity from Regis College, University of Toronto. He is an active member of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish. He has a Master of Social Work, and, until his retirement, provided counselling to individuals, couples, and families. For seventeen years he organized a Day of Reflection for Catholic parents of lesbian daughters, gay sons, and transgendered children.

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