Carmen Christi
Though he was in the form of God, Jesus did not deem equality with God something to be grasped at. Rather, he emptied himself and took the form of a slave, being born in the likeness of men. He was known to be of human estate, and it was thus that he humbled himself, obediently accepting even death, death on a cross! Because of this, God highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name above every other name, so that at Jesus’ name every knee must bend in the heavens, on the earth, and under the earth, and every tongue proclaim to the glory of God the Father: JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!
Philippians 2:6-11 comes up regularly during Vespers in the Liturgy of the Hours. I started noticing more and more the phrase “something to be grasped at.” I get the rest of the Bible verse, but it bothered me enough that I did some research to understand the text better.
I found that this piece of scripture is a Carmen Christi, or a Hymn of Christ. It follows a “V shape” with a descent: Jesus being in the form of God, He emptied himself (from the Greek, Kenosis), taking the form of a servant, and His death on the cross and the ascent: God highly exalted Him, bestowed Him the name above every name, every knee bowing (universal worship), every tongue proclaim Jesus Christ if Lord (universal confession).
This Bible verse provides an excellent argument for Jesus being both fully God and fully man. Unlike Adam, who wanted to become like God, grasping at it, Jesus was in the form of God, meaning that He is divine by nature, didn’t want to hold on to that, and instead chose to empty Himself and take the form of a slave, that is, His human nature.
Two quotes helped me understand this better. St. John Chrysostom said that: For no one who is high, and then remains high, is humble; but he who is high and makes himself low, he is humble... If He was not equal, He did not ‘empty’ Himself; for it is not possible for one who is lower to become lower still1. And from St. Augustine: He did not think it a robbery to be equal to God. It was not robbery for Him; it was His nature. He was so by birth, not by reaching out; He was so by being, not by snatching.2
Finally, St. Ambrose put a bow on it: He emptied Himself in taking the form of a servant, but He lost not the form of God. The nature which is full of divine majesty was not exhausted, but He hid it from our eyes that He might be believed to be man.3
So there you have it, a little Christology to reflect on.
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Bartimaeus
I was teaching Lectio Divina to my catechism class this week, and I was experiencing a bit of analysis paralysis trying to pick the “perfect” passage of scripture to introduce them to this method of prayer. I ended up choosing Mark 10:46-52, the story of the blind man Bartimaeus.
If you’re not familiar with the story, Jesus is passing through Jericho (which is about 15 miles from Jerusalem), and Bartimaeus, hearing that Jesus of Nazareth is coming, cries out, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.” Some people try to shush him, but he cries louder. Jesus asks him what he wants Him to do for him, and Bartimaeus says, I want to see. Jesus restores his sight, and Bartimaeus throws his cloak and follows Jesus on the way.
Afterwards, I learned that this was the last public miracle before Jesus entered into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, and that just before this, James and John had asked Jesus for a position of power, not knowing that Jesus was going into Jerusalem to suffer his passion, crucifixion, and death on the cross.
Before we began reading the Bible passage as a class, I reviewed the four steps of Lectio Divina: Lectio, Meditatio, Oratio, and Contemplatio. I read the passage out loud a few times and answered questions about words the kids didn’t understand. Once they understood the text, we went around the room, and each person said something that stood out to them. For some, it was that people wanted Bartimaeus to be quiet; for others, that he was calling Jesus the son of David (which caused some confusion, as Jesus is the son of God, but is also referred to in some Bible passages as the son of Joseph, so some clarification was needed).
In the Meditatio portion of the exercise, I asked them to choose the point of view of someone in the story. It could be someone in the crowd, Bartimaeus, the disciples, or even Jesus. I reread the text and asked them which point of view they chose and what they saw. One kid raised his hand immediately. When I asked him which person’s point of view he picked, he said Bartimaeus, and when I followed up with, “What did you see?” He said, “I saw nothing until the very end when Jesus made me see.” I laughed out loud. I don’t know if he was trying to be funny or what, but props to him for that answer. It’s been one of my favorite moments as a catechist so far.
To end the class, I took them to the chapel to spend time before the Blessed Sacrament and complete the Oratio and Contemplatio steps on their own. I figured that spending time with Jesus would probably do more good for their souls than many hours of my teaching.
Finally, I ask you to pray for these children and their families that they may grow closer to our Lord and eventually be fully initiated into the Church.
Weakness
As soon as we got out of flu season, I started to feel tooth pain. At first, I didn’t think of it since I know I have bruxism, and sometimes my jaw and teeth hurt because I clench my jaw in my sleep. However, it started hurting, and I began to show signs of infection in my gums, so I went to the dentist. I got a fancy 3D scan of my head, and a few minutes later, I was told one of my molars cracked because of my jaw clenching, and I’m going to need it extracted.
I know it’s not the end of the world, it’s just bothersome. Plus, I’m so weak that I feel like that “Stop giving me your toughest battles” meme. It just feels like it’s been a couple of weeks where I’ve been on high alert for the next thing that might break. I can also make the case that, by His divine providence, as I started to feel overwhelmed, a couple of things on my plate were removed, and now there’s a little more breathing room.
I jokingly started saying, “From the depths of my heart I cry to you; hear me, O Lord,” from Psalm 103:1-2, an antiphon that comes up regularly in the Liturgy of the Hours. The thing is, now it is a heartfelt prayer I utter periodically. So, if you’re feeling overwhelmed, try it out and see what happens. He wants us to call out to Him and tell Him what we need, even though He already knows.
Even though it has been challenging, Mrs. Cantú and I have leaned on our prayer times to anchor the days, and that has helped. I’ve been taking little notes on scripture, and even though I joke that I’m weakness itself, the joke is on me because these Bible passages have been coming up in LOTH recently. Watch.
We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet never sinned. So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and favor and to find help in time of need.
-Hebrews 4:15-16
I willingly boast of my weakness, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I am content with weakness, with mistreatment, with distress, with persecutions and difficulties for the sake of Christ; for when I am powerless, it is then that I am strong.
-2 Corinthians 12:9b-10
My brothers, count it pure joy when you are involved in every sort of trial. Realize that when your faith is tested this makes for endurance. Let endurance come to its perfection so that you may be fully mature and lacking in nothing.
-James 1:2-4
It feels like God is trying to tell me: I know you’re weak. Let me make you strong. And I’m like, but that sounds like it’s going to require me to suffer. And yes, that’s part of it; in the words of St. Rose of Lima: Apart from the Cross there is no other ladder by which we may get to heaven.
This week, one of my students asked me, “What do you think Jesus is doing right now?” To which I said: He’s holding us in existence, out of love. Contemplating this idea makes me share the psalmist’s thoughts when he says: Lord, what is man that you care for him, mortal man, that you keep him in mind; man, who is merely a breath, whose life fades like a passing shadow?
Yes, when you compare someone’s life on earth to eternity, they are merely a breath. Still, God willed us and holds us in existence. And He wants us to go back to Him to spend eternity with Him in heaven. So, if you feel weak, ask for mercy, ask for help. Boast in your weakness and let the power of God rest upon you.
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Sobremesa
Name the hockey formation made famous by the Mighty Ducks.
Share your favorite scripture passage for Lectio Divina.
Does anyone enjoy going to the dentist?
Chrysostom, John. Homilies on the Epistles of Paul to the Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians. Translated by John A. Broadus. In Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series, Vol. 13, edited by Philip Schaff. Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1889.
Augustine. Sermon 183. Translated by Edmund Hill. In The Works of Saint Augustine: A Translation for the 21st Century, Part 3, Vol. 5. Hyde Park, NY: New City Press, 1992.
Ambrose. Of the Christian Faith. Translated by H. de Romestin, E. de Romestin, and H. T. F. Duckworth. In Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series, Vol. 10, edited by Philip Schaff and Henry Wace. Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1896.
1. The Flying V!
2. The first lectio meditation my spiritual director in seminary gave was the woman at the well and put yourself in the view as the woman.
Some intended insights: you can be skeptical like the woman that the Lord can speak to you. Hopefully you can accept that he wants to give you more than you ask and also seeks you out. He knows everything about us. He heals our wounds, lies, and false beliefs and we can trust him. Our testimony calls encourages others to pursue God so we can take part in evangelization.
Great job in teaching the ocia classes. And being a good harvester!
2. I’ve lately been drawn to the Gospel accounts of the Agony in the Garden.