A CUP OF KINDNESS
Crucifixion was torture. It was reserved mostly for political enemies of Rome. The crucified died a slow and agonizing death as their organs failed and their extremities became gangrenous.
No wonder then that Jesus had so little to say as he died.
It takes a reading of all four Gospels to find the traditional words of Christ on the cross.
John, take care of my mother.
You will be with me in Paradise.
Forgive them; they don’t know what they’re doing.
Why have you forsaken me?
It is finished.
Into thy hands I commend my spirit.
Jesus spoke words of love to his mother and to his disciple, John. He spoke words of comfort and consolation to a criminal. He prayed forgiveness for his tormentors. He howled in pain at the absence of his Father, and finally he gave himself to death.
Only once did Jesus ask something for himself. He said, “I am thirsty.”
We are all thirsty for something, aren’t we? In some places, including some places in our community, people thirst for physical nourishment – food, clothing, shelter, and freedom from oppression. All people everywhere thirst for emotional and spiritual nourishment -- unconditional love, acceptance, companionship, understanding, recognition, security. Whatever the thirst – physical, emotional, or spiritual – we can help each other.
They gave Jesus sour wine on a sponge to quench his thirst. Let us give one another a cup of kindness instead.
Dear Jesus, you gave your life for us. Teach us to give a small part of our lives to those who are thirsty, that they may receive a cup of cold water from you. Amen.
