The Greater Art of Falling Down

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In Akido, there is a concept called, "the art of falling down." Falling down is considered an art because if falling is done with skillfull intention instead of just being caught unaware by a blow, the person who falls will be safer. 

During this Lent, I have been following Blessed Titus Brandsma's meditations on the Stations of the Cross. He wrote these meditations in Scheveningen Prison, awaiting his execution. Tonight, I read about the "seventh station," where Jesus falls for the second time. Blessed Titus wrote that Jesus allowed himself to be overwhelmed by the weight of the cross and to fall. 

I hadn't contemplated this before, but of course He did. Our Lord God incarnate, maker of miracles and who later resurrected would not do or allow anything to be done to Him without intentionality. Jesus intentionally fell down. 

Falling is an art. Not just for our "safety." Not just so we can learn lessons in life. Not so we can build the courage to get up again when we "fail." No. There is more.

There is a greater art of falling down. 
Falling down may be the most important thing we ever do. 

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