Passion of the Lord Takeaway Reflection by Cardinal Advincula
We adore the example of the One Who was courageous enough to endure all things our of love for the Father in obedience
We venerate Him who faithfully carried His mission of establishing God's love, justice and compassion among men and women
His response was to surrender
To the rejection and vile treatment of men, His return was mercy and forgiveness
Father, forgive them for they know not what they do
He shows how to live as sons and daughters of God
He buried with Him our sinful ways in order to transform humanity
His cross represents the many victims of man's heart of jealousy, pride, betrayal, denial, abandonment, injustice, violence and death
His open wounds makes us aware and feel the deep scathing, physical psycho-emotional and spiritual wounds we all bear
“As the crucified Jesus identifies with all those who are spurned, mangled, crushed, and afflicted, it would be a mistake not to turn our gaze as well to the scourged, pierced, and crucified among us — ang mga biktima ng pandemya, giyera, kalamidad, korupsyon, krimen, kahirapan, at iba pa — na lubhang nangangailangan ng ating tulong, atensyon, at kalinga.”
Respond in 2 manners:
Wash our hands like Pilate who knows the glimpse of truth but could not stand up the truth due to socio-political pressure and the propensity of physical health preservation
We can be like or imitate Mary who stood on the foot of the cross, not frustrated or defeated but bravely taking a stand with others and for others unjustly condemned an oppressed in the world
He sets an example
Sa Pagkamatay naming ito sa aming sarili, isama mo kami sa bagong buhay na laan mo
