Translating Jesus Christ's cry on the cross (Mk 15-34) into a current of modern spirituality

Abstract

Theologians have, over the centuries, been especially attracted to the Cry of Jesus on the Cross. Furthermore, several religious communities have arisen as a result of profound spiritualities which have a basis in the Cry of Abandonment. This work sets out to discuss the theme of the Cry of Jesus on the Cross as proposed by the spirituality of the Focolare Movement (Pia Associazione di Maria). The experience of the foundress of the said Movement, Chiara Lubich, is primarily based on the feeling of abandonment which Jesus experienced on the cross. A profound spirituality has arisen since the first consideration of the theme in 1944. Following a brief overview of the origin of the Focolare Movement, the first chapter discusses the Theology of the Cross in Chiara Lubich's writings. The narration of the death of Jesus, as found in Mark and Matthew, is discussed in the second chapter with an emphasis on the differences and developments between the two texts. A consideration is made of the Cry according to the text as found in the narration of the cry for assistance of the Just man in Psalm 22, in order to point out the conclusions of theologians whether Jesus' cry was simply a repetition of a prayer found in the scriptures or if the citation was uttered by Jesus and intended by the evangelists to signify· an abysmal reality. The third chapter also gives an account of the theology of the Cry of Jesus on the Cross according to Paul. A consideration, in the fourth chapter, of the theologies of the Reformers and of modern theologians, namely Mollrnann, Von Balthasar and Forte, is intended as an analysis of their contribution towards a more modern understanding of the theme. The theme of suffering as presented by the Magisterum of the Church in the documents of Pope John Paul II is referred to. Finally, the link between the understanding of the Cry and the translation of this into the Movement's spirituality is highlighted in order to indicate the vital transition of theology into the every day life of the faithful.