First Responders. These days those two words form one of the most popularly used phrases in our society. When life seems more and more uncertain, more and more dangerous, less and less secure, we search for saviors. Fortunately, the times seem also to produce more and more people who feel called to help in emergency situations, to be the first on the scene when there is trouble, to restore safety and order: First Responders.
Without discounting in any way the bravery and commitment of such folks, it is important to remember that, theologically, we have a First Responder of a much higher order. Dwelling upon the gruesome physical realities of the Cross has gone out of fashion. We are embarrassed or repulsed, or at least uncomfortably distressed, by the truths of blood, sweat and tears suffered by Jesus. And, indeed, there is much truth to the assertion that Easter and the Resurrection is a much better picture of the saving acts of Jesus Christ. We are, after all, a Resurrection people. Not a crucifixion people. But failing to enter into and live the death of Christ has two problems: It fails to honor the fullness of the profound offering of love that is His life, and it causes us to see the horrors that come to our life as something less than real – something embarrassing, repulsive, distressing to the point of debilitation. We elevate First Responders to the level of Folk Heroes, because they do what we are no longer capable of doing: act courageously in the face of fear.
Acting courageously in the face of fear is the mark of Jesus Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane, and on the Cross:
O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. (Matthew 26:39)
Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. (John 15:13)
Dwelling upon the Crucifixion is damaging if it teaches you that bloody execution is God’s plan of choice for dealing with trouble. But dwelling upon the Crucifixion is live saving if it teaches you the power of self-sacrificing love. Jesus as Victim teaches us to be (or, worse yet, to create) victims. Jesus as First Responder of Love teaches us the profound power of the Love of God, manifested by God, and through us.
This is the central image of the Revelation of Love of Julian of Norwich.
If we dwell with Jesus through the ordeal of the Cross, we come to learn this. If we watch one hour with this Divine First Responder, we equip ourselves to face the troubles of life – the troubles of our own and those of others – with a spirit of courageous self offering.
Her graphic portrayal of the Crucifixion may seem distressingly medieval to many today. But blood is real. Sweat is real. Tears are real. With the focus properly upon Love rather than punishment, the vivid remembrance of the Passion of Christ is a deeply meaningful thing.
Here, using the traditional Rosary, is a devotion to that Passion using Julian’s prayers, and her physical vision of the Crucifixion that serves as the basis of her reflections upon the wonder of Divine Love.
On the Crucifix, say the Apostles’ Creed:
I BELIEVE in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.
Amen.
On the first large bead, announce
“Julian’s Mysteries of the Crucifixion”, and say the Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who have trespassed against us.
Lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil,
for thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
On the three small beads, say Julian’s Prayer for Faith, Hope, and Love:
God, of thy goodness, give me thyself,
for thou art enough to me.
And I can ask for nothing less
that is to your glory.
And if I ask for anything less,
ever shall I be in want,
for only in thee have I all. Amen.
On the space after these three say Julian’s Affirmation:
“All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.”
On the Large Bead before the medal announce the First Mystery and say the Lord’s Prayer.
On each of the ten small beads meditate on the Mystery while saying Julian’s Prayer (God, of thy goodness . . .) Then on the space, say Julian’s Affirmation.
Continue this for all the beads of the Five Decades of the Rosary.
These are the Mysteries, based upon Julian’s physical vision of the Crucifixion:
1. The Precious Crowning with Thorns
2. The Discoloration of His Fair Face
3. The Scourging of His Tender Body
4. The Last Pains and His Cruel Dying
5. His Blissful Heart Cloven in Two for Love
Finally, coming back around to the medal, say Julian’s great affirmation of love”
Would you learn the Lord’s meaning in this?
Learn it well: Love was His meaning.
Who showed it thee? Love.
What showed He thee? Love.
Wherefore showed it He? For Love.
Love was our Lord’s meaning.
Amen. (Julian, Ch. 86)
And, of course, read “Revelations of Divine Love” by Julian of Norwich.
Practice this devotion, and you will find a new understanding of God’s First response of Love.
~ Fr. Will+
