PASSION SUNDAY - WE ADORE THEE

 

  The 5^th Sunday of Lent, also known as Passion Sunday, marks the beginning of Passiontide and is a time for deeper reflection on the coming suffering and death of  Jesus.

“For us, here and now, there is more immediate and more practical meaning in those fourteen incidents on the way to Calvary.  It is a showing not simply of the way of sorrows which we are all destined to walk, if we will or not, but of the way of love which heals sorrow, and which we all can take if we walk in the footsteps Christ has marked out for us, and not only imitate Him but identify ourselves with him.  The stations show us how each one can lighten the heavy cross that is laid upon the bent back of the whole human race now, how each one in the power of Christ’s love can sweeten his own suffering and that of those who are dear to him.

This is why the prayer, “We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee, because by thy Holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world,” echoes down the centuries, not in tones of fear and reluctance but as a cry of welcome, a tender cry, in the tones of a lover’s greeting, to Him whom every man must meet on the way of sorrows, changed for Him to the way of love.”       

Words written over 70 years ago by the mystic and eccentric writer Caryll Houselander.  Perhaps even more appropriate in our world today? 

All the readings of this Sunday give us hope and paint a picture of a very bright tomorrow for all that is to come. In the first reading, God restores our hope, giving us every reason to continue living, despite the difficulties of this present moment and season.

 In the Gospel, we are encouraged by the words of Jesus “Neither do I condemn you.” The complete forgiveness of Jesus is incredible.  He will always fill us with Joy, soon fulfilling His promise to us through his death and resurrection.