Indignity

On Good Friday, the Christian world recognizes the crucifixion, and death of Jesus.  If that in itself is not cruel so too was the way Jesus was paraded through the streets of Jerusalem, out of town to the hill known as Calvary, which was also known as Golgatha (Place of the Skull) in the Aramaic language common to the locale and time.  Many people in the world today suffer from some type of indignity.  In some cases it is brought on by themselves, some it is misfortune, some by birth, and others through no fault of their own.  As all are created in the likeness and image of God, should not all persons be provided some level of dignity?  Small acts of kindness can help to counter the indignity felt by parts of the human population.

Author Photo, 2013

The very use of the term crucifixion, at least for a Christian, provides images of the Roman punishment rendered by Pontius Pilate, the Roman Governor of Judea, to Jesus.  Biblical accounts tell us that being the time of a festival the governor was accustomed to the release of a prisoner, and the crowd yelled for Barabbas.  In one of the more pitiful statements of justification in history, Pilate noted that "I am innocent of this man's blood; see to it yourselves."  The distance between Pilate's palace and Calvary would be about 650 yards, up hill the whole way.  Tradition has it that the route he walked is today known as the Via Dolorosa, although several earthquakes, and ravages of man later the exact route is not fully known.  In some places the first century route is 20 or more feet below current grade.  Although, they have brought up pavement stones from the era to current grade as a tactical connection with early first century AD.  In any event Jesus, with the later help of Simon, was required to carry the cross beam of the cross, not the post, and this would have weighed about 100 pounds. Even before being required to carry the beam up hill, he was stripped and tortured.  I could recount what historians believe to be the manner of torture, but it is even too gruesome for me to account, much less my poor writing skills to accurately portray.  Having been in Jerusalem, let me simply say what the experienced and educated guide described was enough to wonder how a man was still alive much less able to climb the hill to the place of the skull.

Recognized route of Jesus on Good Friday
Source:  Google images

The Romans were masterful politicians, and in an age before photography or videos, the horrendous humiliation placed on a person in public was a simple matter of deterrence.  Upon reaching the hill, Christ was then nailed to the cross, most likely either in the hands, in which case rope was also used to tie the arms to the cross beam, or perhaps into the forearm, between the two bones.  Historical accounts seem to recognize both methods being used in the early part of the first century.  What the accounts do not say is also trying to souls.  Imagine a warm spring day in Jerusalem, about 2000 years ago.  You have been subjected to all levels of humiliation, perhaps the worst when your own disciple disowned you at the crow of the rooster.  Is the worst is yet to come.  You are dripping with sweat and blood, your back sore not only from the beating, but from carrying a 100 pound piece of wood.  You now have nails pounded into your hands and feet, with the cross set up for all to see on one of the high points of surrounding the city.  You find it hard to breathe.  Then would come the  ridicule.  It was from guards, bystanders, and even one of the thieves to the side.  Then there was the insult placed atop the cross, mocking the claim of being a king.  They never really understood that the metaphor.

Cross section of Church of Holy Sepulcher with 1st century AD ground elevation
Source:  Google Images

The causes of death from crucifixion vary, but most common is asphyxiation. A crucified person cannot properly hold their body up right gravity works against them. and they slowly see the body compress as their arms stretch.  (which is why they break the legs of those who may not have died.) As all this is occurring imagine flies, gnats and assorted other insects gathering around your head, and open wounds, a natural reaction is to swat, but of course your hands are nailed.  Birds and/or buzzards fly above waiting for the moment to pounce.  It must have been excruciating.  And we think mosquitoes are bad.  There would also be the smell of death, and decay.  Down the hill, to the opposite side of the path, there was likely the human detritus of past crucifixions.  Thus, was the world of torture in the time of the Roman Empire circa 30 AD.

Plaque marking early AD paving stones near Holy Sepulcher
author photo

Five of the fourteen stations of the cross, as recognized by the Catholic Church, occurred within what are now the walls of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, and another likely just outside its walls.  The condition of the current church of the Holy Sepulcher structure does not belie the reason for its existence.  During my visit the church was as dark and dreary as the clouds which covered Jerusalem for three hours that one afternoon so long ago.  It also is of course, in keeping with its age.  It was first built by the mother of the Emperor Constantine in 333 AD, before being destroyed in 1009 by a Muslim Caliphate, and rebuilt during the Crusades in 1048.  It is not the age or really the condition of the church which matters, however.  To people of faith it is  what is contained within its walls, most in particular the rock grotto which is the grave owned by Joseph of Arimathea, but would come to contain for a few days the mangled body of Jesus Christ.  In an twist of ironic coincidence, or "Godincidence" (a termed coined by my wife), the grave site was in the slope next to Calvary.   One within sight of the other. Probably within a couple hundred feet by line.  Did Jesus as he was dying see the place where in three days he would  rise again?  Christ lost his dignity that day, but regained it in a much more glorious manner than any before, or since.  Christ began the week with a triumphant ride into Jerusalem, and by Friday, was met with varied indignities incorporating a wide range of options.

Door to Church
Author photo

Today persons are still subjected to indignity of various types. Keeping his word on moving the world to recognize those in the peripheries, Pope Francis is doing his share to provide dignity to those to which the word is just a concept..  He is pushing the developed world to better recognize the plight of the third world, the refugees, the homeless, and the poor.  This, even if the reason for their situation may be of their own making, their own human frailty.  Does human frailty provide an excuse for their treatment and the way society tends to shove them aside?   Pope Francis does not think so.  He recently commented that one should help a beggar without regard for how the money may be spent.  Yet, in do doing may we perhaps be enabling a beggar or homeless person in a drug habit?  Obviously the Pope does not think so, as the person having a decision in itself provides some dignity.  He also likely hopes that mercy and charity freely given helps us as much as it may help the recipient.

Stone relocated above first century grade, said to have been
touched by Christ as he carried his cross
Jerusalem, Author photo

What, you may ask does an old man wearing a white cassock really know about the poor, and homeless?   Beyond the fact that as Archbishop of Buenos Arias he ministered among the poorest of the poor in the flavalas of Buenos Aires.  In addition, Pope Francis and his chief almoner have already welcomed refugees into the Vatican, they have already set up lodging for the homeless, and they have already provided showers within the walls of the small Vatican city-state..  Personal services are offered as well--haircuts for example.  Yet, this week they did more.  Perhaps it was fitting that during this Holy Week their next service was to open a free laundromat near St. Peter's Basilica.  St Peter's is one of the most recognized structures in the world, and named for the man who betrayed Jesus.  But, it is now a recognizable sign of mercy to the homeless of Rome.

Laundromat in Rome opened by the Almoner of Pope Francis
Source:  CNN

To us laundry is mundane chore, but to the homeless it probably poses challenges.  The laundromat, with six clothes washing machines and dryers is also due to the generosity of two American Companies.  The machines have been donated by Whirlpool and the detergent and softening agents are being provided by Proctor and Gamble.  The money for the building remodeling, the sleeping bags, and other largess shown by the Vatican comes from donations, but mainly from the sale of papal blessings.  The cost of a papal blessing is rather minimal, about $20 to $25 plus postage (and you don't pay until it is received).  But, these small contributions total up.  As Catholicism continues its steep decline in the developed world, the blessings will fall to those of a third or developing world who can least afford them, and then in the long run the papal almoner will have less funds to distribute to those in need.  If you desire you can order a papal blessing for certain occasions by clicking here.  Or, if you so desire you can donate to the papal charities by clicking here.  One can also support a charity in your own locale that provides services to the homeless, or the poor.  In Dane County, Catholic Charities was chosen to run the county homeless shelter in downtown Madison.

Church of Holy Sepulcher
Author photo

As Jesus was dying on the cross 2000 years ago he was treated in the most humiliating manner, and died through one of the most hideous of means; a way that today is only copied by barbarians of ISIS. But, that does not mean that what we consider our highly civilized society above humiliating others.  On this Good Friday, we could recall many of the memorable phrases mentioned by Christ.  But, let me leave you with one:  "Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it me." (Matthew 25:40)

Art work in need of Restoration in the
Church of the Holy Sepulcher
Author photo