Musings from Rome… pt. 4
Last Summer, my wife and I went on pilgrimage to Rome for the Jubilee Year. Here is our story…
In the morning, we went to the Major Papal, Patriarchal, and Roman Archbasilica, Metropolitan and Primatial Cathedral of the Most Holy Savior and Saints John the Baptist and the Evangelist in Lateran, Mother and Head of All Churches in Rome and in the World… but its friends call it St. John Lateran for short.
It was a quick trip, with a plan to come back later. On this occasion, we wanted to pass through the porta sancta and attend Mass.
Afterwards, we went over to the Scala Sancta, the Holy Stairs (the mosaic outside is on the edifice, but photos inside are strictly prohibited). My wife abstained from climbing, but I decided to brave the stairs. I actually only encourage you to do this if you have strong knees or strong spirit (or maybe even both). It’s painful. I don’t have the best knees, but even so it was harder than I expected. The wood is warped from countless people climbing. It’s also not a straight shot, because there are other pilgrims in front of you. Some of them move quickly, others slowly. I prayed on each step, sometimes spending several minutes on a step and sometimes only a minute (sometimes by my own choice, and sometimes by force from the speed of those in front of me).
It’s painful. It’s discouraging. Even worse, as you climb, there before you is a painting of Jesus. It’s a constant reminder of what Jesus suffered for you, how much worse it was for him, and yet I’m complaining about climbing some stairs on my knees. It keeps you going, but also filled me with sadness of how weak I am physically and spiritually. Would I really survive pain and suffering in the name of Christ?
It was a stark example of what I often tell people about suffering for Christ. It is easy to die for Christ. It’s a split second decision. A quick answer. You say “Yes,“ and it’s over. No pain. No anxiety. No worries. But it is harder to live for Christ. To wake up every day, dedicate yourself to picking up your cross and following in Christ’s footsteps… that’s hard.
I did it. I didn’t give up. I didn’t give in. So many times I wanted to just stand up and walk the rest of the way. Three things prevented me from quitting. First was the other pilgrims around me. Some of them old, some of them young, some of them weaker and some stronger. They were a perfect expression of the saints in Heaven, who likewise cheer us on in our everyday Scala Sancta. Second was the image of Jesus before me, suffering as he did so many years ago. Each time I would be at my weakest, I would look at him and get the will to take one more stairs, say one more prayer. Finally, each time I considered giving up, the reminder of my sins would flood my mind. It was almost a challenge: how can you overcome your sins if a simple set of stairs can defeat you?
It was a good experience. But it is truly one that puts pressure on you physically and spiritually. Be prepared.
