Almost 20 years ago, I wrote a reflection on Christ’s passion – finding, remarkably, a seed of hope in this unspeakable act of human-on-human cruelty.
The world hasn’t grown much kinder in the intervening years. Humankind (including many Christians) still clings to violence as a solution to the world’s pressing problems. But surely this betrays the true form of the cross. Christ intends it as plowshare, not sword – creating furrows for the seeds of hope to take root.
So let’s pray, perhaps, in the words I wrote almost 20 years ago – in reparation for our hardness of heart; and in faith that Christ can use even our brokenness to sow peace, not epic fury, where the world most needs mending.
“Jesus, in accepting your Way of the Cross, you became like a grain of wheat, willing to die to bear an abundant harvest for humankind. Help me to see the fruit that you long to produce in and through me. Let me recognize what must die in me, so that I may know the joy of everlasting life.
“Lord Jesus, amid the fear, resentment, greed, lust and self-righteousness threatening to choke off the harvest that you have called me to produce, grant me patient confidence in you. Help me to trust your promises. Teach me to walk as you walked, scattering seeds of faith and hope, leaving the results to our heavenly Father. Amen.”
“The Way of the Cross Minute Meditations – Lent 2008,” © 2008 Creative Communications for the Parish
Let us pause now…to recall that we are in the presence of the Holy & Merciful One.
IHS
With Us Still 