“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” – Mark 15:34 (NRSV)
Reflection:
As Jesus was dying on the cross, he echoed the beginning of Psalm 22, which reads:
My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
Why are you so far away when I groan for help?
Every day, I call to you, my God, but you do not answer.
Every night you hear my voice, but I find no relief.
In the words of the Psalmist, Jesus found a way to express the cry of his heart.
We will never fully know what Jesus was experiencing in this moment. He was suffering alone on the cross and it seemed as if his loving Father had stayed away from him.
By calling out to God, however, Jesus showed us that he could be vulnerable. He showed us that he was human. In today’s society, many people are afraid to be vulnerable because they think it may be mistaken for weakness.
But being open to our vulnerability is actually a sign of strength. It shows people that we’re not afraid to admit our pains and our need for the constant presence of God in our lives.
Reflection question:
Other than being a sign of weakness, why else might we be afraid to be vulnerable with others? Who can we trust to never leave or forsake us?
Prayer:
God, in the world we live in, being vulnerable is difficult because we open ourselves up to being judged, hurt, and even abandoned. Yet you assure us in Isaiah 41:10 that with you, we are safe. You tell us, do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. We give thanks God, that we can be vulnerable with you and not be afraid. You will use our vulnerability to strengthen and uphold us. Amen.