Fifth reflection of the second week of Lent
In the second week of Lent, we allow ourselves to be challenged by the meditations of Father Lorenzo Baldella. Insights that… cannot leave us indifferent:
“Then he handed him over to them to be crucified” (Jn 19:16).
The cross is a sign of God humbling himself to embrace all creatures. God opens himself to humanity and saves it. Human beings, on the other hand, in order not to build walls against one another, need to follow the same path God followed: humbling themselves, serving, and paying attention to others. Religions and cultures must behave in the same way. This humble condescension is the cross, and through it passes the unity of religions and the unity of humanity. There is no other path to unity than the way of the cross that Christ followed.
And just as Christ’s cross is glorious and fruitful, so too is the Christian’s cross glorious and fruitful. It overcomes oppression and wickedness, creates a new person, a new society, a new world. In an age when humanity has become the “global village” and when it is increasingly common for people of different religions, races, and cultures to live together, Christ’s cross will succeed in teaching everyone unity. Under the cross, people rediscover fraternity. If unity ceases to be crucified, it is no longer unity.”
I wonder: do I know how to humble myself and serve; do I know how to humble myself and embrace my brothers and sisters?
I’ll be waiting for you tomorrow morning to continue reflecting together!
