Look at Christ crucified

THESE days when we are in the middle of both the holiest

of weeks and the dreaded coronavirus pandemic, it might be a good idea

to recover that pious practice of meditating on the passion and death

of the cross, looking intently on the image of Christ crucified.

            It should not be an exercise of sentimentalism or pietism,

but a real, authentic act of piety, re-animated by what ideally should

be our ever-deepening faith, hope and charity in Christ, the son of

God who became man to redeem us. This is not the time for playing

games. We need to get real in this!

            Let us see to it that we should use all our powers for

this purpose. We should not just be cerebral and spiritual without

involving our feelings and passions. And the other way around. We

should not just be full of emotions without using our the full force

of our intelligence and will.

            Let us try to fathom the depth of God’s love for us who,

as St. Paul said, emptied himself to become man and further emptied

himself by offering his life on the cross as a ransom for all our

sins. It’s a love that we have to learn and to live ourselves, since

we are supposed to be God’s image and likeness, children of his, meant

to share in his divine life.

            Let us understand that the true face of love, as shown by

Christ, is one that should be given completely gratuitously. It is

given to all, including those who do not love us, without expecting

any return.

            And for that, we have to be willing to bear all the

burdens of everyone in the way Christ bore all our sins even if we

have not yet asked for forgiveness. Let us not be calculating in our

love. Let us just give and give, love and love, unafraid of the effort

and the suffering that may be involved, and even if we are

misunderstood, mistreated and opposed.

            This way we would effectively channel Christ’s love for

us, he who commanded us to love one another as he has loved us. (cfr.

Jn 15,12)

            Anent this truth, St. Paul said: “Rarely will anyone die

for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare

to die. But God proves his love for us in this: while we were still

sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom 5,7-8)

            Let us be generous and magnanimous in our loving. And the

secret again is to look closely on Christ crucified who should be the

central object of our attention not only these days but all the time.

            It might be helpful to keep in our pockets always a handy

crucifix for us to be reminded of the crucified Christ. To be sure

this practice would not be some sign of childishness but rather of a

mature faith, of a consistent Christian and son of God.

            Just looking at it would already arouse in us impulses of

love that can be shown perhaps in small gestures of affection, in the

ready acceptance of trials and difficulties big and small, in coming

up with initiatives for the good of others, etc. It would not be a

sterile exercise.

            Looking at Christ crucified will also help us to live the

spirit of penance well, making us realize more deeply that we are all

in need of conversion. We would be moved to make reparation for all

the sins of men, ours and those of others.

            Truly, looking at Christ crucified will strongly invite us

to do many acts of love. We would seem to hear from Christ himself:

“My child, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways…”

(Prov 23,26)

            Perhaps we would be left with the feeling that in spite of

our best intentions to love him, we know we are always short of our

desires. Still, Christ understands that and encourages us to keep on

trying.