"He became lost with the lost, hungry with the hungry, and sick with the sick."
(Nouwen, p.145)
Nouwen reminds us that Jesus was aware of and experienced much of what we experience as human beings. John establishes this divine/human connection as he writes, "And the Word became flesh and dwelled among us." That is the unmatched message of the Gospel, that God came in human form to purchase salvation through the sacrifice of Jesus the Christ. His sensitivity to and compassion for the brokenness of our human experience proves once again the depth of God's love, and that empowers us to live hopeful lives. Again, Nouwen writes, "His compassion makes it possible for us to face our sinful selves, because it transforms our broken human condition from a cause of despair into a source of hope." Praise God for such a hope!
JKA
A timely essay and prayer for us on a day with such violent news of shootings in NY, a policewoman's critical injuries as she tried to protect her community, and lives lost in a senseless local fire. Our hope we renew this coming holy week, as we are reminded "the love we most long for is given to us by God, not because we've deserved it, but because God is a God of love." p.146 ~ Pam
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