The Crucifixion as told in the Gospel of St Matthew | DIGITAL AUDIO
A contemplation by Reverend Mario Schoenmaker
In reflecting on the Mystery of Golgotha as portrayed by St Matthew, Rev Mario focuses on the suffering of Jesus Christ and emphasises that the servant is not greater than the Master, that the servant will have to follow where the Master leads. A servant of Jesus Christ can expected suffering, and the greatest suffering is mental suffering and the feeling of total desolation. Being conformed to the likeness of Christ is not always a process of joy. But if suffering can be offered up it becomes the means of initiation. In this way we come to experience what St Paul wrote about: “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.”
Details
Written and spoken by Rev Mario Schoenmaker in 1978
ICA Press, second edition 2009
MP3 download | 29 minutes
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The four gospels were composed out of spiritual revelation, each one speaking its own language, each one with its own special effect. They give us different insights into the diamond of Christ’s life and deed. If you read the four gospels and take them together you will find that they harmonise to make a full portrait of Christ.
In this contemplation, we hear Rev Mario Schoenmaker reflecting on the Crucifixion as it is portrayed by St Matthew. The Gospel of St Matthew is the most human of the four records and describes Christ Jesus as a man in such a way that in all his deeds Jesus Christ seems very near to us. In this gospel all the elements of Mark, Luke and John are present. We find the warmth of feeling and love, we find the knowledge of hope and promise, and we find the majesty of the universe. For this reason it seems that Matthew is much more human, much easier to understand, and much more akin to us than any other gospel. This contemplation was given during a series of meetings entitled “Search for God”. For a number of years, a small group of people met on Wednesday mornings to search for God. These were reflective, prayerful meetings, exploring the deeper meaning of scripture. During these meetings, Rev Mario contemplated many sacred texts of the New Testament. This meeting took place during Holy Week 1978. Keywords Devotional, Inspirational, Esoteric, Biblical Commentary, St Matthew. |
