The gift of vulnerability.

It’s a big word thrown about often, especially in community living. We are each called to be vulnerable, to be real, to be honest, and to share our lives in their entirety. It is the challenge to put down our masks to reveal who we really are - broken, hurting and sinful people. Ideally, it is through this very act of dying to our pride in which we grow in spiritual maturity and allow others to grow by edifying and supporting them.

Looking back at my own 5+ years in community, I don’t think I can say that I’ve let myself be vulnerable much. It is so hard because we are called to take that leap of faith - that instead of being rejected we will be embraced by the ones we love even though they see our ugly selves.

But then just at that moment I looked at the crucifix that hangs behind the altar in SFX, and it struck me, that we can be vulnerable because Jesus was vulnerable first.

All powerful, omnipotent and omnipresent God became man. He was subject to fear, sadness, pain and all our human weaknesses, His spirit being trapped in a frail and weak body doomed to die. How more vulnerable could God be?

Even that was not enough. Jesus was then raised up for all to see, stripped naked and bare before his tormentors. He could not even raise his arms to cover His face as He was spat on and insulted, for they were nailed to the cross.

We can be vulnerable because Jesus has showed us how to do so. He has also showed us that in being vulnerable we die to ourselves, but it is in the process that others are raised up as well. “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” (John 12:32). Jesus’ vulnerability has won for us eternal life and redemption for our sins, and has bore much fruit. Now the question is thrown to us - are we willing to do the same for our own communities and the church?