Knitting a Conundrum

Pope Benedict said on Sunday:

Contemplating the Crucified with the eyes of faith, we can understand profoundly what sin is, its tragic gravity, and at the same time the incommensurable power of the Lord's forgiveness and mercy. During these days of Lent, let us not distance our hearts from this mystery of profound humanity and lofty spirituality.

On contemplating Christ, let us feel at the same time that we are contemplated by him. He whom we ourselves have pierced with our faults does not cease to shed over the world an inexhaustible torrent of merciful love. May humanity understand that only from this source is it possible to draw the spiritual energy indispensable to build that peace and happiness for which every human being is ceaselessly searching.

One of the sad things of the last few years is the tendency to not like crucifixes, but to focus on the Risen Christ in many churches...but the true heart of Christianity is in the scandal of the crucifixion. It is his sacrifice that is at the heart of the Christian mystery. It is painful to consider it...God With Us, tortured and hanging in pain and bloody on that cross, slowly dying before his Mother, the women who came with him, and the spectators, in a public, shameful forum.

It was the act of his supreme love. Can we look up at the Pierced One, look into his eyes, and know that this is what he chose to do for love and be unmoved? Do we squirm, realizing what we have done to make this his choice? Do we accept that love? Will we let it transform us?


Think of him, and remember. If you run away, he will still love you...but will you?

Labels: discipleship, Jesus Crucified