“Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” -Luke 23:34
Jesus was received with joyful praise as He entered into Jerusalem on a humble donkey but it is these same people who would later become His prosecutors and demand His crucifixion. How often do we turn our back to God? Each time we sin, we are turning our back to God and reinforcing His crucifixion yet Jesus still asks God to forgive His persecutors in the same way God forgives us for our sins. Do we willingly offer reconciliation and forgiveness to those who sin against us and even to ourselves?
Jesus reminds us to be aware of the presence of our King in all, even in the form of a donkey, a symbol of the hard working poor. Once we recognize the presence of God in others, we are to carry their cross like Simon of Cyrene. By carrying the cross for others, we are also carrying the cross of Jesus. Through these actions of support and forgiveness, we strengthen our relationship with God, others, and ourselves.
As we begin Holy week, we ask you Lord to keep our hearts at peace in midst of all the challenges. Keep us mindful of the peace and compassion you exercised in your days leading up to the cross.
Are we offering our own sacrifice with humility of spirit in every relationship?
reflected by Greg Lontok
No comments:
Post a Comment