A Problem for Others

Scripture – Mark 15:16-20: ¹⁶The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium) and called together the whole company of soldiers. ¹⁷They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him. ¹⁸And they began to call out to him, “Hail, king of the Jews!” ¹⁹Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him. ²⁰And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him

Reflection: Again, the silence of Jesus stands out in stark contrast to the people around Him. There was simply nothing more to say.

I’m hard-pressed to understand why or how people could act like these soldiers. What was to be gained? How could they so de-humanize a person?

Yet there are stories that come across on the news every day that I just skip over. People continue to do atrocious things to other people. Somehow, when they happen in Africa or China or India they don’t seem so real.

Even our own government endorses torture as a means of getting information from individuals. What can I do to stop such behavior? I can start by not letting it be someone else’s concern.

Lord, show me what to do here. Human rights are important to you. You’ve shown that throughout the scriptural record. I’m sorry for just ignoring this whole issue. Show your way for me to address this in my life. At least, show me how not to participate.

An Invitation: For anyone interested in sharing their personal reflections from this week’s readings, you are invited to come by the Tim Hortons donut shop at Dix-Toledo and Northline in Southgate tomorrow morning at 9:45am. We’ll have a cup of coffee and see what the Lord has been teaching us this week.

Reading for Sunday, April 13:

Scripture – Mark 15:21-24: ²¹A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross. ²²They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull). ²³Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. ²⁴And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get.