16 August 2023
You should continually keep in mind the great humiliation which the Lord
took upon Himself in His ineffable love for us: how the divine Logos dwelt in a
womb; how He took human nature upon Himself; His birth from a woman; His
gradual bodily growth; the shame He suffered, the insults the vilification,
ridicule and abuse; how He was scourged and spat upon, derided and mocked; the
scarlet robe, the crown of thorns; His condemnation by those in power; the
outcry of the unruly Jews, men of His own race, against Him: ‘Away with him,
away with him, crucify him’ (Jn. 19:15); the cross, the nails, the lance, the
drink of vinegar and gall; the scorn of the Gentiles; the derision of the
passers-by who said: ‘If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross and
we will believe you’ (cf. Mt. 27:39-42); and the rest of the sufferings which
He patiently accepted for us: crucifixion; death; the three-day burial; the
descent into hell. Then keep in mind all that has come from these sufferings.
See to what a height of glory the Lord’s human nature was raised up by God’s
justice through these sufferings and humiliations.
Saint Mark the Ascetic
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