Reflection
In order to grasp the message of the suffering of Jesus, let us listen to a song entitled, “A Walk Through Hell”
by the band Say Anything.
by the band Say Anything.
Reflect
Questions for the Soul
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1) How would you feel if you were in Jesus’ shoes?
2) If you were Jesus, what would you do?
3) How was the theme love and sacrifice presented in the song?
4) How is the song connected to the suffering of Jesus?
2) If you were Jesus, what would you do?
3) How was the theme love and sacrifice presented in the song?
4) How is the song connected to the suffering of Jesus?
The song "A Walk Through Hell" shows the unconditional love of the persona. The theme of love is shown as the persona would do anything for that person he loves. He is willing to undergo pain and hardship for the love of that person. He is willing to sacrifice his life for that person, as shown in one of the parts of the song: “I’d walk through hell for you. Let it burn right through my shoes.” A walk through hell is also connected with the suffering of Jesus as both of them are willing to make sacrifices. Both of them also shows an unconditional love. In the case of Jesus, according to the Gospel reading, Jesus is willing to be physically tortured and to be mocked for our salvation.
Now, let us take the time to further reflect on the gospel and our understandings
as we take a look at a poem about a love similar to Jesus'
by Marcel Billing Hurst.
as we take a look at a poem about a love similar to Jesus'
by Marcel Billing Hurst.
Unconditional Love
Marcel Billinghurst
Love is patient, Love is kind
Love is learning to be blind. To others faults, it keeps no score, Love is learning much much more. Love protects and always trusts, Perseverance is a must. Love is facing stormy weather, Hand in hand we walk together. Love is honest, not deceiving, . |
In God and others we keep believing.
Love is learning to forgive As Jesus taught us how to live. True love we find will not forsake But always gives more than it takes. Love is learning to rejoice In all we face, it is our choice. We are learning the meaning of love As give to us by God above. |
Reflect
Questions for the Soul
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1) What does this poem show about love?
2) How does the suffering of Jesus connect with this poem?
3) Are there any concepts about love between this poem and the suffering of Jesus?
2) How does the suffering of Jesus connect with this poem?
3) Are there any concepts about love between this poem and the suffering of Jesus?
This poem talks about true love as shown from the title itself, Unconditional love. The poem shows some characteristics of love. For example, love is patient, love is kind. Truly, the suffering of Jesus is directly connected with this poem. The poem proves some characteristics of love shown by Jesus in His suffering. For example, in paragraph two, line 3, it says “Love is facing stormy weather.” This line shows that it is not easy to love, and it is indeed difficult to love. Jesus himself encountered a lot of pain and hardships in loving us. He had to go through both physical and emotional pain just to show us how to love and to let us see that He truly loves us. Furthermore, in paragraph 4, lines 1 and 2, it says, “True love we find will not forsake but always gives more than it takes.” This 2 lines shows that love is more of giving than receiving. This proves that loving someone is a form of sacrifice. Jesus sacrificed His life for us. Jesus suffering for us is more of us benefiting from it rather than Jesus. This just proves that love always gives more than it takes. As we realize this, let us end with a prayer.
A Prayer
Let us put ourselves in the
holy presence of God
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Dear Heavenly Father,
You had suffered for our wrongdoings. You had sacrificed Your life for us. You went through a lot of sufferings just for us. Until today, You continue to show Your unconditional love and we express our gratitude for the love that You have bestowed to us. We also give thanks to You for acting as a role model and inspiration as You had showed us how to overcome sin. You had to go through a lot of pain and hardships just to show us how to conquer sin which is to love. May You also forgive us for the times when we fail to show love and to make sacrifices. We humbly ask for Your forgiveness for the times when we give in to temptations. Loving Jesus, may You continue to inspire us to show love to others. Guide us in our journey to fight against temptations. Grant us the grace that we may make sacrifices even if it is difficult or hard. All this we ask from you Lord Jesus.
Amen.
You had suffered for our wrongdoings. You had sacrificed Your life for us. You went through a lot of sufferings just for us. Until today, You continue to show Your unconditional love and we express our gratitude for the love that You have bestowed to us. We also give thanks to You for acting as a role model and inspiration as You had showed us how to overcome sin. You had to go through a lot of pain and hardships just to show us how to conquer sin which is to love. May You also forgive us for the times when we fail to show love and to make sacrifices. We humbly ask for Your forgiveness for the times when we give in to temptations. Loving Jesus, may You continue to inspire us to show love to others. Guide us in our journey to fight against temptations. Grant us the grace that we may make sacrifices even if it is difficult or hard. All this we ask from you Lord Jesus.
Amen.
Synthesis
Pulling it Together
Jesus suffered for us not only physically but also emotionally. Even if he was physically and emotionally abused, He did not fight back against His enemies. Thus, His suffering manifests His ultimate love for us as He was willing to go through all this hardships just for us. However, even if Jesus already suffered for our sins, we must keep in mind that we still have to do something. We must follow His footsteps. Today, I challenge all of you to be like Jesus, to show love to people even if they are your enemies and to exemplify sacrifice without complaining like spending time with the poor even if one has a busy schedule.