Mark Dohle
Well-Known Member
“We see this in the folly of war, where Christ is crucified yet another time,” the pope underlined. “Christ is once more nailed to the Cross in mothers who mourn the unjust death of husbands and sons. He is crucified in refugees who flee from bombs with children in their arms. He is crucified in the elderly left alone to die; in young people deprived of a future; in soldiers sent to kill their brothers and sisters. “Pope Francis, Palm Sunday 2022
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It is the tragedy of our species that we do necessarily learn from our experiences. We seemed tied to an endless cycle of violence that seems impossible to break.
Jesus knows the hearts of men and women (and because He did not need anyone to testify concerning man, for He Himself knew what was in man John 2:25). He knows my heart. How it is prone to violence, and thoughts of revenge. To being inconstant in my walk with him. My often slow response to his grace. Yet, he calls me and gives me the grace to continue and not to despair. So I believe it is with everyone.
On Palm Sunday Jesus knew that soon he would be alone, except for a very few. Yet he continues to love, teach, and move forward in spite of the instability of the human heart. God’s love is based on a deep understanding of our human struggles and weaknesses. For even if our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts. 1 John 3:20.
Let us focus this Holy Week on God’s trustworthiness and love, and not on our own insufficiency unless it is to lead us to make deep acts of trust, thanksgiving, and love.
Lord, teach us to see one another with your eyes, and to embrace with your heat, and to understand with your mind.-Br.MD