Remain - The Tenth Station

The Tenth Station

Jesus is Stripped of His Garments

"To what extent should we give and love?" one might ask. Society values an educated person who loves within the boundaries of self-interests. We analyse and calculate the amount we give and when the price of loving eats into our well being, we pull back to safeguard ourselves first. If we talk about love as a 'should be', then it ceases to be love that we are really speaking about. Love is not forced actions. It springs up from a pure heart by its own free will.

Here towards the end of the passion, Jesus was stripped of his garments. He stood before the crowd, naked, despised. His dignity was robbed along with his garments. 

When Jesus gave, He gave everything He had, holding back nothing at all. When He loved, He loved with His entire Self. There was completely nothing that Jesus had left which He could have given. He gave all. Emptied out entirely.

Philippians 2:6-8

His state was divine, yet he did not cling to his equality with God but emptied himself to assume the condition of a slave, and became as men are; and being as all men are, he was humbler yet, even to accepting death, death on a cross.

Jesus has no boundaries, no limits, no instruments of measurement, no calculations of costs incurred. He only knows infinity. He emptied Himself out, and only because He did so do we have today on our altars, more than 2000 years later, the same body and blood of Christ that continues to nourish us and draw us into the promised eternity. 

REFLECTION

Do you analyse and measure the amount you give? 

Do you hold back your love because it seems unprofitable as everyone else is putting in their minimal effort and love? 

Where have you set your boundaries for love? 

How is Jesus inviting you in every situation everyday to remove your boundaries and enter into His freedom of infinity?

REMAINING WITH JESUS

Reflecting more deeply on this tenth station in the Way of the Cross, and 

Knowing that Jesus has first shown us the way to love, to empty oneself, will you remain with Him in unconditional, selfless, sacrificial and unmeasured love?