For many saints the cross was the only book we would need. Here alone one learns the lessons of love, not in formulas, prayers, or sermons, but in a life given. The cross is the chair of truth. Here we see truly humankind at its worst, crucifying the innocent one. Here, too, we see humanity at its best, in a faithful life given for others. This mystical ladder to heaven can truly only be lived, not understood. And if it is understood, it can only be grasped by one who has loved and has struggled to love.
Our God is not an abstraction found in the pages of a book. Our God is found in this person, Jesus. God has become one with us, has experienced our pain, our wants and our disappointments. God's love is to be lived in all its frustrating difficulty by the followers of Jesus. We know that only in giving, completely, and selflessly as Jesus does, do we gain life itself. With St. Gaspar we say over and over, "Superabundo gaudio in omni tribulatione." I am overflowing with joy all the more because of our affliction. (2 Cor. 7:4)
We are not spectators here. It is time for us to enter into the Paschal mystery by allowing our lives, loves, joys, hopes, disappointments, suffering to be made over by Christ's death and resurection. The cause for hostility here was a good work. Jesus had shown his mastery over the power of death by raising Lazarus, and this good work was a source of fear and malice in the Pharisees and the Sanhedrin.
Caiphas, who did not know the depth of what he was saying, stated that it was better to have one man die for the nation than to have the whole nation destroyed. The irony is that Jesus death did not preserve their stronghold. Jerusalem was destroyed in the 60's - 70's The Evangelist knew the depth of what had happened, that Jesus death would gather into one all the dispersed children of God. At Passover time the High priest is to seek out a lamb to be the spotless sacrifice. This is what Caiphas unknowingly does as the true High priest is feared by the earthly high priest.
The way before us is clear. The following of Jesus is beset by opposition from the adversary. Even the good the Missionaries do is a source of resistance. The good the church is engaged in can be a source of misunderstanding and even animosity. So we are not spectators. We take up the cross and follow Jesus.
Our God is not an abstraction found in the pages of a book. Our God is found in this person, Jesus. God has become one with us, has experienced our pain, our wants and our disappointments. God's love is to be lived in all its frustrating difficulty by the followers of Jesus. We know that only in giving, completely, and selflessly as Jesus does, do we gain life itself. With St. Gaspar we say over and over, "Superabundo gaudio in omni tribulatione." I am overflowing with joy all the more because of our affliction. (2 Cor. 7:4)
We are not spectators here. It is time for us to enter into the Paschal mystery by allowing our lives, loves, joys, hopes, disappointments, suffering to be made over by Christ's death and resurection. The cause for hostility here was a good work. Jesus had shown his mastery over the power of death by raising Lazarus, and this good work was a source of fear and malice in the Pharisees and the Sanhedrin.
Caiphas, who did not know the depth of what he was saying, stated that it was better to have one man die for the nation than to have the whole nation destroyed. The irony is that Jesus death did not preserve their stronghold. Jerusalem was destroyed in the 60's - 70's The Evangelist knew the depth of what had happened, that Jesus death would gather into one all the dispersed children of God. At Passover time the High priest is to seek out a lamb to be the spotless sacrifice. This is what Caiphas unknowingly does as the true High priest is feared by the earthly high priest.
The way before us is clear. The following of Jesus is beset by opposition from the adversary. Even the good the Missionaries do is a source of resistance. The good the church is engaged in can be a source of misunderstanding and even animosity. So we are not spectators. We take up the cross and follow Jesus.
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