20 March 2016 - unwavering

[ Today's Readings ]

LORD, how quick we are to turn on you. At one moment we cry out, "Blessed in the king who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest", and the next we cry out "Crucify him!" But unlike us, you are steadfast. When hardships come along you do not waver.

The Lord GOD is my help,
therefore I am not disgraced;
I have set my face like flint,
knowing that I shall not be put to shame.

Even when we are unfaithful to you you remain faithful, LORD. You cannot deny yourself (see Second Timothy 2:13). You continue "to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them."

Then Jesus said,
“Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.”

You reveal that even from the cross your love is not wearied. Even up to the end you offer love and mercy to us.

“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
He replied to him,
“Amen, I say to you, 
today you will be with me in Paradise.

Even when you feel abandoned you still trust the Father. Even when all seems lost you are able to remain obedient to him.

But you, O LORD, be not far from me;
O my help, hasten to aid me.
I will proclaim your name to my brethren;
in the midst of the assembly I will praise you:
“You who fear the LORD, praise him;
all you descendants of Jacob, give glory to him;
revere him, all you descendants of Israel!”

Let us look to your passion Jesus. Let us see in it the love you have for us. Although you do "not regard equality with God something to be grasped", and empty yourself, even though you refuse to save yourself to prove to the people that you are the chosen one, the Christ of God, even so we see your divinity revealed in this love you show us on the cross.

When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, "Truly this was the Son of God!" (see Matthew 27:54)

There is no better time to be transformed by your love than at the foot of the cross today. Help us to say even now, even as your blood pours out for us, "Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."