Shrovetide and Jesus' Passion

Shrovetide

First Edition

Gospel Luke 18:31–43 God's Sacrificial Way of Love

Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and said to them, "We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. He will be handed over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and insulted and spit on, and they will scourge him and kill him. And on the third day he will rise from the dead." The disciples did not understand any of these words of Jesus. The matter remained hidden from them, and they did not understand what Jesus meant.

As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard that a crowd was passing by, he asked what was happening. He was told that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. Then he cried out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Those who were in front told him to be quiet, but he shouted even louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stopped and ordered him to be brought to him. The man came, and Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The man answered, “Lord, give me my sight.” Then Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.” At once the man received his sight, and he followed Jesus, praising God. And all who saw it gave thanks and praised God. (Luke 18:31–43 First Edition)

Let’s get acquainted with the journey

At Shrovetide we begin to follow Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem in the Gospel of Luke. Jesus is preparing to face his destiny, and his words to his disciples are powerful and meaningful. This time prepares us for the great events of Easter, when Jesus sacrifices himself for the world. The purpose of this blog post is to delve into the theme of the Passover: the sacrifice of God's love, and to reflect on what it means for us in this time.

Jesus' journey to Jerusalem

According to the Gospel of Luke, Jesus clearly announces to his disciples his journey to Jerusalem and its consequences. He tells of his suffering, mockery, scourging and finally crucifixion. This journey forms a central part of the fulfillment of his mission. Jesus' journey began with his baptism in the Jordan and continued for three years, ending on the tree of the cross at Golgotha. His suffering was not only physical; it was also mentally and spiritually heavy. Jesus' words have a deep meaning. They reveal God's plan for all people. Through his suffering, Jesus demonstrates his love and sacrifice. During this journey, he confirms that what he is about to experience is intentional. This is especially evident in the events of the Passover and Easter.

The meaning of the Passover

As the Passover, we celebrate the path of sacrifice and offering of God's love. It opens the door to the Easter season, when we reflect on the greatest gift of our lives: Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. This is not just a single event, but part of a larger story that cumulates in God's gracious plan. As a Shrovetide, we remind ourselves that God's love is seen in sacrifice. The Shrovetide festival is celebrated with different traditions in many cultures, such as the joyful Shrovetide riots in Finland and the carnival traditions of other countries. Community and togetherness are the essence of the celebration. For many, it means the beginning of the Lenten season, when we reflect together on our own sacrifices and the journey towards spiritual depth. As a Shrovetide, we encourage each other to live the act of love and understand the meaning of suffering.

The reason for Jesus' suffering

Jesus' suffering is God's plan. This was not just a randomly chosen path, but was carefully considered. Jesus knew what awaited him; refusal or escape was not an option. In sacrificing himself, he fulfilled God's plan, which had been set in advance. Suffering was necessary so that the kingdom of God could come among us. The majority of believers say that Jesus' sacrifice is an important part of their faith. Therefore, it is important to understand the meaning of his sacrifice, because it opens the door to reconciliation and communion with God.

The Cross and Self-denial

Jesus calls his followers to take up their own cross. This does not mean just physical suffering, but rather self-denial and the submission of their own will to the will of God. Taking up the cross is a central part of the life of faith. Jesus says: "If anyone wants to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me." We all have our own crosses. They can be the burdens of loved ones, our own struggles, or life’s challenges. Our cross reminds us that we are on a journey toward heaven and that this journey includes suffering. Through suffering, we learn and grow, especially together, because loneliness can make pain worse.

The Stations of the Cross and God’s Love

The Stations of the Cross are both painful and beautiful. Jesus’ suffering in the world was the ultimate sacrifice, but it was also an expression of love. The cross is not just a symbol of suffering but of hope. His victory over death and his resurrection on the third day remind us that God’s love conquers all.

Carrying the cross can be tiring and test our faith, but Jesus’ example gives us strength. When we share our burdens, we also share our love and strength with those around us. The Stations of the Cross is not just an individual’s journey; it is a shared journey that we walk together as part of a community of believers.

The Teaching of the Shrovetide

During the Shrovetide, we reflect on what all this means in our own lives. Denying ourselves and carrying the cross can seem overwhelming, but they are also an opportunity. The theme of Sacrifice of Love reminds us that no one is in so much pain that they cannot serve God and others. The Sacrifice of Love is a journey we make every day. The friendly community of Shrovetide helps us remember the meaning of the cross and why God chose this path through His Son. The cross is a symbol of life and hope, and through it we can find our peace in God.

The power and hope of the cross

The power of the cross is immense. Jesus’ suffering and death eliminated humanity’s isolation from God through his sacrifice. This gives us hope and confidence in the future, even when we face the difficulties of the mystery of life. Just as Jesus rose from the dead, we too can live in hope. Combining hope and love is important on our paths of faith. Jesus’ words are instructions that help us learn to grow and understand our own faith on deeper levels. At Shrovetide, we remind ourselves and each other of these values and meanings.

Summary

Jesus’ suffering is the key to God’s love. As a Shrovetide, we have a special opportunity to turn to him and receive his message of love and grace. The way of the cross can be challenging, but it is also a path on which we learn and grow.

Love, sacrifice and community are important every day. Through Shrovetide, we can deepen our faith and prepare for the great joy of Easter; Jesus’ victory over death and the giving of life. This is the meaning we want to carry with us.

The theme of Shrovetide returns us to our roots: God’s love takes us there and opens the way for us to a new life full of hope. Let us be ready to carry our cross and walk together in Jesus’ footsteps towards eternal life.