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von Veh Crucifixion-III

von Veh Crucifixion-III

The wound inflicted on world history by the coming of Christ continues to fester.                              ~Hans Urs von Balthasar

The Word spoke. The Word speaks. The Word became flesh at a fixed point in time and space, yet, the resonance, redemptive power, liberating work continues to act outside time and space. The Word is not spoken in ideas and philosophies to be argued and used in support of one’s position, a campaign of violence against another’s view. The Word performed the message, is performing redemption. And, the gift of the grace and mercy of redemption can only be received by its enactment, “by serving as the mythos of an actual communal embodiment of the gospel.”

Lived community is social, and, it follows, political. That is, to survive in the context of the group, an understanding of contributions to the well-being of the whole, the balance of power, must be established. The Church is such a community, as is the Trinity by self-disclosure, by Being. Apart from God, power is abused, the gift of grace eschewed. It is what Julian sees in her vision of the lord and servant, a “radical overturning of the social order, dehierarchicalization of the body politic.”(176 ) The lord identifies as the servant, and the servant is revealed in the Son’s equality with the Father. In the context of Medieval society, the implication is it “leads the lord not simply to act according to the medieval ideal of the lordship, but in fact to transgress the boundaries of that ideal by raising the servant above his proper station.” (177)

For Julian, “the realm of history is the realm of the ‘hazelnut’; it is composed of the ‘little things’ that are held in existence by God’s love, and that can only be properly known and loved in relation to God. This is no less true of the church as a historical entity; it too must be seen ‘spiritually,’ i.e., in relationship to God. . . . The soul, rather than being an enclosed space, insulated from history, is radically ‘exteriorized’ by the indwelling of God.” (181) And, to do so is to act out the Trinitarian being—a perfect movement of giver and receiver of gift. The hierarchy is dynamic, not static, “oriented toward the exchange of goods between its poles.” (183) The Father gives to the Son who is enabled to give himself back in Spirit. Not a “pure gift,” but “purified gift exchange” imprinted on all of creation, such that dynamics of power are seen “not as an opportunity for domination, but for self-donation.” (187)

Lived authentic communal embodiment of the gospel occurs when the Body is “purified according to the model of Trinitarian reciprocity, rendering not the static egalitarianism of modern liberalism, but the drama of the servant’s exaltation. What Julian gives us in vignette is something that is neither feudal ‘stability’ nor modern ‘liberty’ but a Trinitarian ‘charity.’” (189) There is nothing in the Trinity that contains domination or control of one Person over Another, power imbalance, oppression. The Trinitarian act and Being is charity, is love. It is giving to receive only to give back . . . again, and again.

Isaiah, in the very first chapter, exhorts the people to cease to do evil and strive to do good. What does it mean for me to cease doing evil? How does one go about striving to do good? It seems it has something to do with power and oppression—i.e., giving up power so that one without it might be empowered. It is a personal act, willingness to relinquish control, but it is certainly social—and each person has some recourse to effect change at the level of society just by being alive. Perhaps, today’s Lenten prayer can be that: the Trinity open my eyes to specific ways I can give of myself so another might repossess the dignity the world has commandeered. The images in the following video meditation are pieces of art from a variety of cultures and eras that view the cross from unique perspectives. Gaze long on these images and see what Jesus intends for you to see. Thank you, for joining me in this prayer!

[wpvideo qnJ12j2f]

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3 Comments
  • Profoundly moving video.

  • Reblogged this on Howie's Blog and commented:
    Deep stuff! Thoughts that come to mind: charity over egalitarianism – very thought provoking; living in relationship in humility – humility not just to live self-sacrificially, but also to be able to receive charity and love; Andrei Rublev’s Trinity Icon, which exemplifies the giving to one another of the Trinity in charity and humility; and the song Trinity, by Jennifer Knapp, which quotes:

    “What was the promise on the Cross of Calvary?
    Confess the Lord and the truth shall set you free
    …Blessed be thy God who never turned away from me
    Hid his face from all my sin, forgot, forgot my iniquity
    Go on and raise your hands sing praises to the Lord
    He’s the King and He’ll reign forevermore
    He died upon the cross at Calvary
    He died to save a wretch like me!”

    Amen!

  • Eirene – Deity of Peace March 21, 2016 at 5:46 pm

    Reblogged this on Eirene and commented:

    Holy Trinity, open my eyes to specific ways I can make space, loosen control, so another might repossess the dignity the world has commandeered.

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About the author

Nicole

Nicole Oliver Snyder’s expertise lies in the areas of leadership, gender issues, and mindfulness practice as it affects both. Leadership, particularly in an urban setting, requires community-relations skills, and an ability to clearly convey justice issues as they relate to felt, spiritual ones. Dr. Snyder is author of Leading Together: Mindfulness and the Gender Neutral Zone, and specializes in teaching mindfulness leadership development, formative spirituality, counseling, and Old Testament theology (emphasis on justice issues). She has a diverse background in international community-relations work combined with volunteer work in multi-ethnic communities, and with local institutions. She is an ordained Clergy; holds a BS in Human Development and Family Studies, w/Education Certificate, an MA-Counseling, MDiv Equiv., holds a Doctor of Ministry and Advanced Certification in Formative Spiritual Direction, and is a Licensed Professional Counselor (CO, MI).

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