Shame, a feeling we’ve all felt at least once. Situations where we feel we may have not made the right decision or feel as if we do not live up to professional or social standards. We may have felt this when we don’t live up to the expectations others have set for us. It is one of the most debilitating, demeaning and destruction emotions one can experience.
When we think of poverty, our mind often goes to tangible aspects such as a lack of income, limited access to financial resources, starvation, malnutrition, limited access to education and basic services, etc.
Yet poverty goes much further. Some are poor in their soul because they did not know how to love, forgive, and rejoice for others. Others can be poor in their spirit.
It’s shameful not to know how to read or write in a society where everything is numbers and letters. It’s shameful not to be the man or woman you’d like to be. It’s shameful for parents not to be able to accompany their children in their dreams. It is even more difficult to support society’s gaze on our condition and our incapacities.
This weekend we will remember the death and resurrection of Jesus.
– 1 Peter 1:3
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy, he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy, he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
The cross has been the favorite instrument of many nations throughout history to humiliate dissidents. Its size and its location in the city added a layer to the humiliation of the crucified.
Interestingly, God chose this way to sacrifice Jesus when we know the atrocity of death it produces. A slow, suffocating death, with no way out like those lives without prospects, sacrificed on the cross of poverty.
Yes, every year, poverty is crucifying millions of destinies.
One of the consequences of the pandemic is that millions of people have experienced the same feeling of humiliation, uncertainty, stress, and weakness. And thanks to God we are slowly moving out of this.
Good Friday is that day of the year when we remember that even if we suffer, we must take courage because Jesus has overcome the world. The psychological burden of poverty whether tangible or not has been replaced by its peace, hope, and joy.
– Isaiah 61:7
For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them.
For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them.
For every shame we have suffered, God promises us a doubled portion of restoration because of the work of the cross. Today let us lay our shame at the feet of him who fights for us.
Good Friday!