Elaine Chinsamy, Durban – I respect Fr Ron Rolheiser’s article, “Who wants to die like Jesus?”, but find it to be a rather sensitive topic.
The first question that came to my mind when I read the headline was, “Can anyone die like Jesus?” My answer would be “No.”
No one can die like Jesus, nor are we expected to. This is the whole point of Jesus’ death.
I believe that the power of Jesus’ death lies in the fact that no one has to die like him, nor embrace it as he had to. We are called to rather live as he lived — because of the way he died.
Jesus’ fear was indeed the high point of his passion because he had to be and indeed was fully human while he is God.
I find it’s too sensitive to add a greater meaning to his fear and emotions shortly before his crucifixion, rather than to acknowledge that he was indeed fully human when he gave his life for us and so be fully surrendered in our worship.
The highest point of Jesus death, for me, is the fact that he gave his life, not that he simply embraced death in fear and died in anguish. That he gave his life is divine courage, strength and power that people/sinners are not capable of, nor are we called to demonstrate that kind supernatural power in our faith.
I find it’s more important to apply the right kind of humility in our faith even while we strive to be more like Jesus.
To imagine that we could ever be capable of dying like Jesus is quite ambitious. Isn’t it?
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