Reflection on the Lord’s Passion

What does Satan do to distance us from the path of Jesus? Firstly, his temptation begins gradually but grows and is always growing. Secondly, it grows and infects another person, it spreads to another and seeks to be part of the community. And in the end, in order to calm the soul, it justifies itself. It grows, it spreads and it justifies itself.”  -Pope Francis

 

As we enter this Holy Week, I can’t help but to reflect on the Lord’s Passion.  I cry when I think about it.  The God man, who could have fought back.  He tells us in the Gospel of Matthew chapter 26:53-54;

“Do you think that I cannot call upon my Father and he will not provide me at this moment with more than twelve legions of angels? But then how would the scriptures be fulfilled which say that it must come to pass in this way?”

So He didn’t fight back.  He took it, and He did that for us.  For me.  I think of the quote from Pope Francis above.  How many times in the past did I let myself get distanced from God?  How many times did I neglect my relationship with God, never even speaking to Him unless I wanted something?  How many times have I justified what is wrong?  How many times have I spread my wrong to a friend instead of spreading goodness and right?  So I cry.  I reflect.  The Lenten journey.  It is one of cleansing.  I cry but I feel good.  I feel good because I am loved by Him.  My sins are wiped away.

His Sacred Heart is always reaching out for us.  Reaching out for me.  He wants to wrap us in His love.  I want to be His.  And so, with reflection, I do what He asks.  I repent.  I confess.  I do penance.  I receive His Body and Blood.  The free gift that is there for me. It takes discipline, something I am not great at, but when I look at the Cross, the bloodied and beaten God, who with His wounds took my wounds, my heart melts of its hardness, and feels His saving Grace.  I can go out and spread what is right, my works become works of His heart.  My heart is guided by Him.

This is what I have been feeling, and as if to let me know that his Sacred Heart is there for me personally still, each and every day, my cousin, Kathleen Carr, the painter, stunned me with this;

 

Behold This Heart That Has So Loved Men.  This is what she unveiled this Lenten season.  He is working among us.  He will make us new.  He will make us strong.  Let His love encompass you this Holy Week.

You can visit my cousin’s website here.