AT THE FOOT OF THE CROSS
A place of pain for love
Today’s celebration revolves around the cross, not a mere sign of devotion but as the instrument of mercy, forgiveness and salvation. Pope Francis ceaselessly reminds us that,
"The God of mercy; he does not tire of forgiving. We are the ones who tire in asking for forgiveness, but he does not tire."
The cross manifests God’s love for us and Jesus extends visibly that love through pains, suffering, his passion and death. Isaiah tells us that,
"By his stripes, we are healed" (Isaiah 53:5)
A place of hope in spite of our weakness
We are invited throughout the world today to stand at the foot of the cross. We all know how difficult and even impossible to make all things no matter how best our intentions could be. Paul himself has summed this up in these terms:
“I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” (Romans 7:15).
Paul clearly indicates the situation of our human condition. We are invited to the foot of the cross to learn how to surrender our weakness and frailty to the one who strengthens us. Give thanks to the Cross: for as he endured the suffering, we realize the possibility of our own salvation.
A place of forgiveness and restoration
We came to lay down all the
violence committed against the innocents and which are being committed against God, the church, and our world. It is an opportunity to bring at the foot of the cross, all weapons of human destruction and to embrace justice, love and peace that Christ offers us:
“Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).
So Jesus not only loves us but he hung on the cross for each and everyone of us to be forgiven and reconciled. Paul while writing the Colossians says that Jesus reconciled all things on earth and in heaven by making peace through his blood he shed on the cross. (Cf. Col.1:20). Let each one of us, therefore, come forward on this Good Friday to stand at the foot of the cross with confidence and trust. On the cross, Jesus, is our ransom; He is a suffering Servant, who is ready to take away our sins, our own bruises, our wounds, our infirmities. Let’s come at the foot to be healed, consoled and transformed. Every time we embrace the cross, we acknowledge our new beginning that already anticipates our final entrance with him in heaven:
“Today, you will be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43).
As Mary, the Mother of the Lord is given to us as we stand with her at the foot of the cross, may we make sure not to leave her behind when we go back home. “Woman behold your son” and then to the disciple: “Behold your mother” (John 25-27)
For the sake of his sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world!
Jesus, I trust in you!
Fr. Georges Roger Bidzogo sac
