The life that brings true fulfillment is a cross-shaped life, a life of letting go, giving up our own way, and looking out for others, for those who are hurting and in need.
The cry of Jesus, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” reveals a depth of abandonment we can scarcely fathom. This perfect unity of the Trinity fractured as He bore the weight of our sin. Utterly alone.
Consider the journey to the cross: rejected by the crowds who once hailed Him, denied by Peter in a moment of fear, abandoned by His closest friends in Gethsemane, betrayed by Judas, one of His own.
Yet, in the midst of this, Jesus, knowing what lay ahead for each of them, knelt and washed their feet – an act of profound humility and service. “I have given you an example,” He said, “Do as I have done to you.”
His suffering mirrors our own experiences of pain and brokenness. He understands our weaknesses. But His response was not one of retaliation or self-preservation. Instead, He offered a different way: the way of the towel, not the sword.
We live in a fractured world, prone to conflict, selfishness, and fear. But in Christ, we are called to a different way of being, a “cross shaped life.” Our relationships become the proving ground of this transformation. Do we build walls with accusations and defensiveness, or do we kneel in humility, seeking to serve and understand?
Jesus, though divine, embraced the lowest place, reversing the world’s power structures. We are called to the same attitude: humility, considering others before ourselves. This counter-intuitive path, the way of losing our life to find it, leads to true life and flourishing, both for ourselves and for those around us.
A cross-shaped life is one where we are “there” for one another, attuned to the needs of those around us. It begins in our closest relationships, where we choose empathy over blame, appreciation over criticism, and vulnerability over defensiveness.
The character of God, revealed in Christ, is cruciform. As we approach communion, let us examine what we hold in our hands: a sword of self-interest, or a towel of service? Let us lay down the former and take up the latter, allowing Jesus to guide us into a life shaped by the cross.
Reflect:
- In what areas of your life do you find yourself more prone to picking up the “sword” rather than the “towel” in your interactions with others?
- Think of a recent situation where you felt rejected, abandoned, or betrayed. How might reflecting on Jesus’s experience in those moments offer you comfort or a new perspective?
- What is one practical way you can “take up the towel” in one of your relationships this week, demonstrating humility and service?
- Consider the “You never/You always” statements or defensiveness you might fall into. How can you replace these with more empathetic and understanding communication?
- What does living a “cross-shaped life” truly mean to you in your daily actions and choices?
Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we thank you for the profound example of your Son, Jesus Christ. We are humbled as we reflect on His suffering, His love, and His radical act of service. Forgive us, Lord, for the times we have chosen the way of the sword, causing hurt and division. Grant us the grace and courage to lay down our pride and defensiveness, and to take up the towel of humility and service. Teach us what it means to truly live in the shadow of the cross, shaping our lives after the pattern of Christ’s selfless love. May we be instruments of reconciliation and grace in our homes, our communities, and the world. Amen.
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