Eli Eli lama sabachthani

The seven sayings of Christ on the cross are part of the liturgical meditations of the Lenten season. The parents being devout Protestants ensured that Manny and I had an upbringing which included Sunday school every Sunday, twice if you please. 2 hours in church after the service and 3 hours post lunch at a family friend’s home. Methinks this was a ruse to ensure we weren’t underfoot more than a religious endeavor.

 The Lenten season was special, besides the Sunday service we would go to church on Wednesdays for special service and the holy week beginning with Palm Sunday was solemn as we recollected our many transgressions and tried hard not commit any, at least for that week (nope, didn’t work with me).

Maundy Thursday was when we were most contrite and our penitence was heightened as we partook in the repasting of Christ. Good Friday was spent in church in a three hour service and seven preachers would deliberate on the seven sayings of Christ on the cross and this is one of my best memories of the church I grew up in.

Most of the sermons were by laymen and I loved their interpretation as it was a fresh perspective and not as full pious pomposity of the men/ women of the cloth. These lay preachers made Christ seem more real, more human and someone I could relate to. He sounded more like my friend the Lamb and I would have long dialogues with Him.

Of these seven sayings, the one that affected me most deeply was Christ crying out “Eli Eli lama sabachthani” in Aramaic translated into English “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” I would hurt for Him and find myself mired in sympathy mingled with grief and terrible anguish.

To many people there are many verses from the Bible that are the cornerstone of their faith. To me it is this… “Eli Eli lama sabachthani”, simply because I could identify with the vulnerability of this powerful Lamb who shed all inhibitions to display his lacerations instead of justifying the greater cause.

Methinks I’m shaped by this as well, I connect better with those who aren’t afraid to share their pain and adduce their scars like I do mine. And I’m never afraid to get mad at Him and lament sometimes in rage sometimes in agony, “Eli Eli lama sabachthani”

Until I hear a voice say can it, drama queen!!!