When is the last time you cleaned out your closet? Many of us have a hard time of letting go of clothes, books, papers, and “junk” because we think we might need them someday. Why is it so hard for us to let go of things we possess?
Yet until we rid our closets of old, we don’t have room for the new.
Today’s reading is an ancient Christian hymn that is sometimes called the “Kenosis Hymn.” It reflects on the “emptying” process that took place when the Son of God took on the assignment to become a human being (Philippians 2:5-11).
“…though (Jesus) was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking on the form of a slave, coming in human likeness…”
What greater emptying can take place than letting go of one’s position in heaven and status as God’s son? For us who grasp on to little trinkets and old clothes, it is hard for us to imagine that Jesus did not consider being equal with God something to cling to. How could he let go of his divine privilege and freely take on the body of a human being—even a poor human being—“a slave”?
As a man, he was still empowered by God to work miracles, heal people, raise the dead and cast out demons. Even these powers, however, he did not grasp onto.
“…he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death even death upon a cross.”
Jesus let go of his powers, his dignity, and even his right to life, and chose freely to submit not only to death—which had no power over him—but to death upon a cross. He accepted the position of the lowest of criminals, though he had never committed one wrong nor told one lie, so that we might have our sins forgiven and be saved.
Fr. Raneiro Cantalamessa refers to this act of “kenosis” as the humility of God. When we realize how far God went to emptying himself, even of his Son, we get a glimpse into how much he loves us and wants to free us from the dominion of Satan. We are that important to God!
The “empty” Jesus, after surrendering in obedience to his Father, was then “filled” to overflowing.
“Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above all names, that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord…”
After Jesus’ total emptying, God filled him with supreme honor and power. He gave him the name above all names and is now at work to bring everyone—in heaven, on earth, and under the earth—to bow down before him and declare him as Lord.
Contemplatives throughout the history of the Church practice the prayer of “emptying.” They want to empty themselves not only of sin but of good things, such as self-will, status in life, pride in possessions, and every inner part of themselves that we humans tend to “grasp.” They did (and do) this, not as some kind of self-afflicted punishment, but to make room for a new infilling of God’s love. They hungered to have their inner “closets” so emptied, that God can pack them with treasures that the world cannot give.
Today we do our best to empty ourselves so to make more room for Jesus in our hearts.
“The lowly shall eat their fill” (Ps22:27).
