spiritjesusmaster

Jesus Master

Queen of Apostles

St. Paul

Jesus
Master
Healer

Jesus Master
Mentor and Model

Jesus
Master
the crucified
Guru

Christ,
Master
and
Lord

Jesus Master
as Light

Jesus Way
to
Happiness

Jesus is
Master
of Life

Jesus
Master
Divine
Child

JESUS MASTER AND LORD
Sr. Veritas Grau, FSP

The Filipino loves to contemplate Christ as the Master; triumphant, superior, teacher and protector.

Of all the popular Filipino approaches to Christ, the devotion to Cristo Rey, Christ the King is that which connects most readily with the title of Christ as Master. Paradox attends the juxtaposition of "master" able to dominate and control any situation with the suffering, defenceless Nazarene -- of the superior "master" teacher, expert, life giver, with the vulnerable Holy Child, of the distant and fear-inducing "master" with the humble, compassionate friend that is expressed in the titles of "Sacred Heart" and "Divine Mercy." But when we speak of Christ the King, St. Paul's Lord who has become ruler of the universe, triumphant in his resurrected splendor, head of all creation, the cosmic Christ, then the title "Master" comes into its own.

The practice of giving solemn honor to the Kingship of Christ expresses our awe, our adoration, our submission to the one whom we accept as having dominion over our personal and lives, the one who has rights over us, the one we look to for help in all our needs. In modern terms, he is our "boss," our "chief," our "amo," our head to whom all power in heaven and on earth has been given.

We need to see a Christ like that, a protector, a source of grace and blessings. At the same time, we are not happy if we cannot in some way see him also as close to us, human as we are, approachable, lovable. Otherwise he becomes easily the Judge with the power to punish and condemn, the leader that includes fear rather than love. This is why though the Santo Niño wears kingly dress and is crowned and wields a scepter, he is also a child needing to be loved, cared for, played with. Though the suffering Nazarene bears the cross of our pain which is his as well, and falls to the ground in weakness, he still wears a crown -- though it is of thorns -- transforming his pain to a regal symbol, and in some representations he still has the cloak of royalty around his shoulders. The Sacred Heart is enthroned in the very heart of the family; he is compassionate but effectual and strong enough to alleviate, nourish, and be the living, unifying center of our home.

"Master," then, as a title accorded to Christ, cannot be understood and lived except in the acceptance of the paradox that transforms connotation of worldly power that cling so naturally to the title, into a more wholistic and true vision of an omnipotent God who is at the same time infinitely and totally loving and merciful. Christian life is real only if it is lived at the spiritual intersection where the lines of dominion connect with those of a love so total it can be vulnerable. When these lines are brought together without the insulation that protects the partial integrity of each, our spiritual fuse blows and we are plunged in darkness. But it is the darkness of faith. It is the darkness of the living God, which one day, when our eyes are opened, will be seen as the true light that transforms and uplifts us.