Kenosis

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Kenosis

Self    Emptying

Humbled   Obedient   Sacrifice

Death On A Cross

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(Photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:  Philippians 2: 6 and 7

Jesus, though He was in the form of God, did not think of equality with God something to be held on to.

Instead Jesus emptied Himself and became a slave.

He came as a human.

He was completely human in appearance.

Jesus humbled Himself.

He became obedient to death, even death on a cross.

Reflection

Isn't it amazing when you reflect on the reality that Jesus, even though He was God, became a human being? The Greek word St. Paul uses for this is kenosis. It means an emptying.

Paul uses this word to convey that Jesus fully embraced our human nature. He made the decision to become one of us.

It is a reality that causes us astonishment. If we were in that situation, would we be willing to empty ourselves of our divinity and to become human? 

It is such a huge "emptying"! The gap between the human and the divine is so large. I think most of us would choose to stay comfortable in our divinity and not to bother with all the difficulties and challenges of the human condition.

However, Jesus takes it a step further. He embraces His mission to proclaim the Kingdom of God and encounters resistance and hostility from some in authority. They do not like what He is saying and doing. He seems dangerous.

This leads to His death by crucifixion. Hard to imagine that anyone would be that faithful and that obedient. Jesus never turned back, never watered down His message; He was obedient---He listened to God and embraced the call to spread the Love of God.

We are also called to listen to that challenge to love each person and to share the Good News that Jesus has come to let us know how deeply we are loved by God. 

We share that Good News despite rejection, misunderstanding, and humiliation. We too are called to empty ourselves of pride and a comfortable path and to embrace the way that Jesus shows us.

We learn through the example of Jesus that this will not always be easy and that it might involve rejection and suffering. 

Are we willing to follow the way of kenosis?

1. Why do you think that Jesus became human?

2. Do you think of Jesus as dangerous?

3. Is it hard for you to be obedient to God's call?

4. What are some ways that you can "empty" yourself to follow Jesus more completely?

5. What do you see as you reflect on Kathy's photo?

(Scripture adaptation, reflection, and questions by John J. McNamara)