Anne Lastman
Very recently I came across an article about the time of COVID-19 and the isolation which we were forced to accept and endure, but I also read about something which I considered a moment of great grace and significance for us Catholics and indeed for the world. I read about this short news item and remembered the date March 27, 2020. There was a real somberness which covered “the land.” Covid had taken its toll on humanity and we all seemed emotionally weary. Further, there seemed to be a spiritual and emotional tiredness where it appeared that we couldn’t move on, and it was at this moment in a short news article His Holiness Pope Francis was seen walking up a ramp to pray for humanity. To pray against the pestilence which had visited us and touched all with its toxic talons. It was a moment where nothing could be done except for “Peter,” like Moses, to climb the mountain and to approach the Lord and intercede for all humanity.
Peter (pope Francis) walking slowly, limping, and at times seemingly finding it difficult to reach the top of the ramp ( which was usually set up for him to climb and talk to the visiting pilgrims) but determinedly he went on towards the top where, he had some little assistance by another, then for a moment stood and looked into the empty St Peter’s square, which throughout the seasons is never empty and standing there he appeared such a lonely figure. The darkness and rain added to the soberness and symbolism. Tears of Jesus over our own Jerusalem, for whom Jesus wept (Lk 19:41).
Struggling as he was, the Holy Father made it to the top. We could see that he was breathing very heavily from the climb but nearing the top an assistant approached him and assisted him on the last several steps and to the lectern where he stopped for a few moments and prayed “ Lord do not leave us at the mercy of the storm” ( do we hear, Father forgive them they know not what they do” Lk.23: 34) There was a strange silence. He prayed more. He blessed the world. He lifted Jesus present in the monstrance and turned him slowly around to face north, south, west, and east. To bless the whole globe and its people. To bless all of creation. “Peter” carried (like Jesus) the weight of the pandemic (cross) in this moment of great pestilence which threatened all of humanity. He seemed such a lonely figure. I imagine much like Jesus in Gethsemane interceding, asking, accepting what was to come.
We are also reminded of Moses on mount Sinai interceding for the Israelites (Ex. 32:14) who were worshipping at the bottom of the mountain the golden calf, whilst Moses was interceding on their behalf and because of the need for this were under the wrath of God.
Like Jesus, who also felt the weight of the moment of darkness, the temptation was to be afraid but he said, “fear not I am with you” (fear not the most oft words used in the Bible.365 times) The Holy Father, stood in that dark, bleak and watery night, a lone figure, having climbed up the ramp (mountain) to speak with the Lord and intercede for a world which has lost its way. Standing upon that ramp (mountain) he understood that no one is saved alone but as a family and neighbor. He prayed for all families and neighbours and especially those touched by this dark unexpected plague.
We build ramps to climb and live in our relationships by doing all that we can to be part of God’s family. That is to honour, respect the dignity of the other. To recognize the other as a brother or sister in Christ. We understand respect for our neighbours whatever their likes, loves and ideas and know that they have a different ramp (life) to climb, and together walking this ramp (life) taking all events, moments, acts, filling the satchel which began colorless and developed into gold. finally, be able to present this satchel at the “gates” The ramps climbed, (lives lived) whether moderate or steep which have been like those hills walking up to the place of (calvary) which we who have been given life must also climb in order to reach the top. Life is a Ramp. Beginning at the very bottom we slowly look upwards to a glowing top and begin the climb to reach there. The ramp (life) is not just for “Peter” but for each living being. The ramp we build is our life and how we build it is ours to choose.
Like the Holy Father on that bleak night slowly but determinedly climbing that wooden ramp, in the empty St Peter’s square, normally teeming with millions of pilgrims, but on this night drizzling rain and the ramp too hard to climb, he did slowly climb it. Like Moses, he had a duty to intercede for his brothers and sisters, humanity, which at this moment was very vulnerable having been ambushed by the arrival of such a demonic plague.
The ramp (life) is given before time began to those destined to climb it. “Before you were born I knew you. I consecrated you” ( Jer.1:1) Our God (Jesus) walked like his own created siblings within time and will continue walking with siblings till end of time. He climbs the ramp (life) with each and every sibling of his. The newer climb the low, medium or high, but the ramp is never climbed alone. Like the Pope Francis assistant at the top, Jesus walks with every life. Most especially when it’s dark, drizzly, wet ,and difficult to climb.
The ramp (life) is there because all creation has a need for that particular ramp to be there. We walk together or with a helper up that ramp (life) leading to top of mountain but this never alone. The individual walks at own pace, own time, falling and getting up, and turning towards the top of the ramp. We’ve walked up the ramp (life) because each has been created in the perfect image and reflection of the very first one to ascend that ramp (life) and climb higher to the mountain.
We are reminded of the holiness of the ascent even when a sacred minister, priest, ascends up to the altar to offer sacrifice, he is an image of the ascending of those steps. We are reminded of same ascent as the Holy Father ascended up that ramp towards the top where he offered the Holy sacrifice and told the world “be not afraid” of this darkness, the “Light of the World” (Mt 5:14-25) also walks and climbs a Ramp lighting the way towards final part of the journey. Pope Francis walked up that ramp to call out for Our Lord’s help to give us the strength to keep going during this moment of darkness and the response to “be not afraid “
It was physically difficult for “Peter” (Pope Francis) to ascend but he walked with all the strength he could muster. It was a spiritual battle and sacrifice which “Peter” needed to perform. Taking with him the offerings of prayers and supplication of all the people who had been given in his care.
The powers of darkness have become more and more enraged and darkness has again covered the land but this time a different darkness. No rain. This time its wars and all manner of violence and innovations of new modes of violence. Blood with its scourging, violation, murder, blasphemy, curses, sabbath desecrated, father and mother disrespected, and Lord of life feels the pain. The new ramp is much steeper and the battle wounds painful. The instruments of torture have made the ramp slippery with blood.
Seeing the ramp and the ascent and looking backwards at one’s own life its possible to see the climb we each are on. We climb, at times, with ease like a gazelle, on the mountains of spices, (Song of Solomon 8:14) and then there are times when the burden of wood is too heavy but still belabored until the top. Like our Holy Father and his slow and laboured climb, limping and finding it hard to breath, like the gazelle of Song of Songs they climbed it. The journey is always hard but the companion is always there, if we accept Him. He falls with us along the way but he gets up and lifts us up till we reach the top and look back at that “Life” (Ramp) which, as it was being walked/climbed seemed to pass too hard an ascent.
