The Paschal Mystery of Jesus: Means to Perfection
The first step to perfection is not to dominate others; the second one is to be subject to others [and] the third is to suffer patiently the injuries in this submission. (OOCC, X, p. 544; STA, 153)
St. Vincent Pallotti visualized a means to perfection that is based on the humble path of the Paschal Mystery of Jesus. Jesus, in living the Paschal Mystery, permitted himself to go through a number of self-emptying acts. He left the glory of his nature as God, took the form of a human person, became a slave of all and finally, died on the cross. The self-emptying of Jesus brought him the glory as the Lord and a name, which is above every other name. In imitation of the Paschal Mystery of Jesus, St. Vincent Pallotti proposed a threefold step to perfection: not dominating others, being subject to others, and suffering patiently all the pains associated with this submission. Not dominating others is the first step. Non-domination destroys one’s self-righteous perception of oneself. SecondlySecond, non- domination must be followed by subjection to others. In subjecting myself to others, I accept my limitation and superiority of others. ThirdlyThird, joyfully and patiently accepting the pains and disappointments involved in the subjection of myself to others. These three-fold self-emptying steps, in imitation of the Paschal Mystery of Jesus, will pave the way for true perfection in the life of a person.
Do I believe in the truth of the Paschal Mystery, which says: “the cross is the way to the crown”? Am I ready to stop dominating others, subject myself to others and suffer joyfully the pain involved in the first two submissions? Am I ready to walk the path St. Vincent Pallotti walked in imitation of Jesus?
Your attitude should be the kind that was shown us by Jesus Christ, who, though he was God, did not demand and cling to his rights as God, but laid aside his mighty power and glory, taking the disguise of a slave and becoming like men. And he humbled himself even further, going so far as to actually die a criminal’s death on a cross. (Phil. 2: 5-8)