Broken Bodies and Beloved Solidarity: A Holy Week Journey

by Anton Flores-Maisonet

t/w: suffering, injury, injustice, and trauma

On Palm Sunday, as I lifted the bread in church and proclaimed, “This is my Body broken for you,” I felt the weight of my left arm, encased in a sling with a shattered humerus. Humbly, I added, “And this is my broken body, offered in sacrifice for Christ and compassionate solidarity with those enduring unjust suffering today, particularly newcomers seeking asylum.”

This new journey of mine into solidarity with the suffering began on March 5, amidst leading a processional through Atlanta streets, focusing on immigrant justice. As we passed by Atlanta’s towering detention center, I stumbled, crashing my head and left arm into a metal structure enclosing a solitary tree. The searing pain of my injuries, a concussion, and a shattered upper humerus led to an emergency room visit and the beginning of a daunting journey of recovery.

The excruciating pain of my fall poignantly reminds me of the universal truth of human suffering. None of us are immune to life’s hardships. Nevertheless, within my own suffering, I discover a pathway to more profound empathy and connection with the struggles of others. Witnessing their resilience strengthens my resolve to confront unjust suffering head-on.

Pain is a bridge to suffering and a call to end unjust harm.

As I write this during Holy Week, I reflect on the broken bodies worldwide. The collapse of Gaza’s healthcare system amidst ongoing conflict, fueled by U.S. military aid and Israel’s aggressive actions, leaves millions without access to essential services. I envision a child amidst the rubble of Gaza, perhaps in desperate need of the surgery I will undergo on Good Friday. My pain becomes a compassionate bridge to shared suffering and a resounding call to end the unjust harm inflicted upon innocent lives.

As I walk my own “Via Dolorosa” (“The Way of Suffering”), my heart grieves for the immigrant workers in Baltimore who died in the tragic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. The names of the two recently recovered from a submerged pickup truck, Alejandro Hernandez and Dorlian Castillo, bear witness to lives lost in the pursuit of sustenance, echoing the themes of sacrifice in need of redemption. Their stories compel me to reflect on the systemic injustices that perpetuate such tragedies and advocate for reforms that prioritize the safety and dignity of all workers, regardless of their background or status.

As I grapple with my fears and uncertainties as surgery draws near, I draw strength from the transformative power of empathy. I renew my commitment to confront injustice and cultivate compassion in solidarity with the marginalized and oppressed. This journey, marked by my body’s brokenness and humanity’s shared suffering, serves as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the imperative of building a world where suffering is met with love, justice, and unwavering solidarity.