#301 The Five Wounds- Kirsten Valdez Quade
Amedeo is a criminal, a bad seed, a scourge on the
community. He is a 33 year-old out of shape, jobless, useless man, and has a 15
year old daughter that is about to give birth to a grandson. He is about to
become Jesus.
It is holy week and the town is preparing for their
Calvario, the stations of the cross procession. They chose Amedeo this year
hoping that picking the wretched man would bring salvation to him and the
community. It is a sacrifice.
The more real the act is the closer to God the portrayer of
Jesus gets. The flagellations of the past have gone as far as actually nailing
the man to his cross. It can be: “More real even than taking communion…You got
a chance to thank Jesus, to hurt with him just a little.”
“If he can up there in front of the whole town and do a
performance so convincing he’ll substantiate right there on the cross into
something real. Total redemption in one gesture, if only he can do it right”
Amedeo has taken his role to heart, and as the sins of his
past flash before his eyes, the more he needs redemption. He is beaten, spit
on, bleed, humiliated, and the town knows it made the right choice. For unto us
a child is born, and may its sins be washed away.
This is a pretty intense story, but one well deserving of
attention. You don’t need to understand the religious nature to feel the
emotions of the characters.
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