RELIGION-CHRISTIANITY: WORLD – ‘Veneration of the Cross’ – Holy Friday
Readings: Is 52:13-53:12, Heb 4:14-16; 5:7-9, Jn 18:1-19:42
.
.
Veneration of the Cross
.
Today, we venerate the cross where Jesus died hanging for us. Jesus may have uttered His last words, “It is finished.” But that is not the whole picture. The cross, the symbol of humanity’s sin, changed the course of this world. God, our Master Painter, from the beginning, intended to create a family picture with Him. And more than just our tantrums, it is our sinfulness that altered the course of our lives. And, in the process, in God’s merciful and humble love, He adjusts His plans. He gives humanity the paintbrushes. Then He allows for humanity’s misuse and abuse of intelligence, freedom and will. And so, we have Jesus’ bloodied body hanging on the cross!
Is this a better picture? Hmmm, only in the sense that you and I are in it.
Our life stories are painted with Jesus’ blood. For sure, in the eyes of artists, they are ugly. But in the eyes of the Master Painter who sees the Big Picture, these are ugly only for now because what makes them most beautiful is that each of our life paintings is yet unfinished.
We approach to venerate the Cross in its ugly form. Knowing, trusting and believing this time around that the Master Painter will finish this most beautiful picture during Easter, with you and I in it.
And so…
All your pains, all your worries, all your uncertainties about the future bring it to the Cross because at the Cross… it is finished. No matter where you are, no matter who you are, no matter what you’ve done in your life, come to the Cross…because at the Cross…You are forgiven.
At the Cross… He confronted your pains. At the Cross… He stood up to your uncertainty. At the Cross… He forgives you all your sins. At the Cross…He conquered sin and death… once and for all of us.
The challenge for all of us is this: To love and forgive, as we are loved and forgiven.
At matapos na tayo ay linisin at hugasan ng dugo ng ating Panginoon, ang hamon sa ating lahat na naririto: ang umibig at mag patawad.
Are we ready to take up our challenge?
BY FATHER AMBROSIO NONATO LEGASPI
About the author: Father Ambrosio Nonato Legaspi, fondly called by his parishioners as “Father Nonnette,” is the parish priest of Christ the King in Filinvest 2, Quezon City, under the Diocese of Novaliches / All photographs, news, editorials, opinions, information, data, others have been taken from the Internet ..aseanews.net | [email protected] | For comments, Email to : aseanews.net |
