On Thursday morning, I joined an online Lenten gathering hosted by the Kirby Laing Center from the borderlands of the Orlando International Airport.

Gatherings like this one remind us that as children of God, we follow a different calendar, one that links us together with believers from across the globe, who for thousands of years have paused to remember Jesus on the Via Dolorosa.

Lent, as I have stated before, calls attention to the stark reality of sin—our shared brokenness—and the immeasurable love of God poured out through the life, death, burial, and resurrection of God the Son.

I participated from the lobby of the Hyatt, one escalator ride above the terminal’s fray. I managed to find a quiet spot beyond the cacophony of voices, squealing and screaming children, and sound of shuffling—thousands of travelers just passing through.

The Happiest Place on Earth juxtaposed against the Crucifixion.

Sorrow & Splendor

Above the din, we listened as a colleague recited, In Splendoribus, a poem by Chilean poet, Luis Cruz-Villalobos. His work expresses the splendor and the sorrow of the Suffering Servant. An irresistible juxtaposition that invites us to follow.

What splendour is yours!

Diffused

Poor

Thin

Drained 

What luminosity is yours!

Holily profane

 

It seems that you are sad

Yet always filled with joy

It seems that you are poor

Yet you make many rich

It seems you have nothing

Yet you possess all

And just like us

who have dared to follow you:

somewhat insane.

Judas & Jesus

Lent also lays bare the fact that we are all sinners. Judas, perhaps the epitome of rebellion, is juxtaposed against the One who loved him.

This reminder is important for us who live in a culture of outrage. Our society platforms and applauds those who demean, belittle, and mock even the most benign mistakes.

As if entitled, we freely, unabashedly, and almost greedily, point out the grievous mistakes of others behind the cloak of social media, chat rooms, and faceless podcasts. But, what if our every stupid decision, every mistake or misstep was on display? Please do not get me wrong, I do not condone bias, lawlessness, or abuse. But, does this not all bubble up from the same dark place?

Luis Cruz-Villabos’s poem, Judas, vividly portrays sin as the great equalizer.

You traitor dog

Cursed pig

You who betrayed the one who loved you

You who kissed like a dagger

You who collected the tax from hell

You who do not have

Even the minutest pardon

To you I say

Do not look at me

From my mirror.

Humility

The splendor of the loving, willing, merciful Savior juxtaposed against our dirty, traitorous, betrayal—yours, mine, and ours.

Luis Cruz-Villabos, “En Splendoribus,” and “Judas” in CANTOS BENEDICTINOS. POESÍA, (Santiago de Chile: HEBEL Ediciones Colección Arte-Sana, 2018), 13, 15.