“Out of love for us, Jesus freely walked the path of humiliation and self-abandonment for our salvation. As Saint Paul says, “He emptied himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:7-8).
As we contemplate Jesus in His passion and the sufferings of all humanity, we discover God’s answer to the mystery of evil, suffering and death. He gives us His Son, who dies humiliated, betrayed, abandoned and reviled. Yet God’s victory shines forth in what appears, in human terms, to be failure and defeat.
Jesus’ passion is the culmination of His revelation of the Father’s infinite love and His summons to faith in His Word. Christ takes upon himself the power of evil in order to set us free: “by His wounds we have been healed” (cf. 1 Pet 2:24)…
As we follow Jesus along the way of the cross, may we imitate His loving obedience to the will of the Father, especially in times of difficulty and humiliation, and open our hearts to his gifts of reconciliation, redemption and new life.”
Pope Francis in “Jesus died humiliated, but God’s victory shines” remarks on 16 April 2014. This is a summary of his comments translated into English.
What does it mean for you to follow Jesus on the way of the cross? For me, this has been a significant idea this week. My thoughts have centered on Galatians 2:20.
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Let us imitate Jesus’ obedience to the will of the Father, so that our lives reflect that we have received His gifts of reconciliation, redemption and new life. And may we generously share these gifts with others.