Allowing Ourselves to Feel

Good Friday

Jesus was "overcome with grief " in the garden of Gethsemane (Mark 14:34, The Passion Translation.) Yet he also followed this with letting go of his need for security, affection, and control. In the presence of his Father, he relinquished it all and embraced the moment for what it was.

The Agony in the Garden, 1799–1800, by William Blake

After allowing himself to weep, in the presence of his Father, Jesus then relinquishes it all.

From that point on, I envision Jesus moving through the events of Friday, of the Passion, fully present and engaged. He doesn't dissociate which is common for those experiencing immense trauma. He stays present. Sometimes answering Pilates questions, sometimes silent. He knows who he is and has relinquished control.  

If you’d like, read through the passages slowly (Mark 14:32-15:47), entering with your imagination, noticing how Jesus responds.
 
On the cross he is offered and refuses 'wine mixed with gall'-- a normal painkiller offered to those who were crucified. He wanted to say present. He even demonstrates a beautiful last loving gesture to care for his mother and friend, perhaps speaking in a barely audible voice, with a final death rattle.

He embodies the Welcoming Prayer Practice.

It is so hard to allow ourselves to feel, to not shove or deny our emotions. As we’ve explored, Welcoming Prayer practice invites us to allow ourselves to feel, to welcome God with us in our emotions, and then to let go, surrendering to God our normal human needs for security, affection, and control.