The rulers sneered at Jesus and said, "He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God." Even the soldiers jeered at him. As they approached to offer him wine they called out, "If you are King of the Jews, save yourself." Above him there was an inscription that read, "This is the King of the Jews."
Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, "Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us." The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, "Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." He replied to him, "Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."– The Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke (23:35-43)
We are only a week from the Paschal Triduum, the three days of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday, when we commemorate the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of the Lord Jesus. It is a fitting day to reflect upon the sufferings of Christ, our Savior, and continue to enter more deeply into our time of prayer. I believe that each will gain many graces from engaging these days as a ‘
long retreat’ comprised of
prayer,
listening to the Word of God, and
penance (I have offered recommendations and helps about these topics in the past few days).
Today, within the ‘long retreat’ that we have been offered, I propose a focus on the Passion and Death of our Lord. These first words from Saint Luke’s account of the crucifixion are both captivating and filled with hope – a reminder of the reality of the Kingdom of God and the generosity of Divine Mercy. This familiar, timely, and rich passage would be a great section of the Gospel for you for your own
Lectio Divina.
Stations of the Cross
In these changing and confining days we may have lost track of praying the Stations of the Cross, a popular devotion during Lent. Even though we cannot gather together, I would encourage each to pray the Stations of the Cross today – perhaps you will pray these devotions
frequently during the next week – as we near the commemoration of Good Friday.
There are many links and resources for the Stations of the Cross, here are a few suggestions:
The fount of all blessings, the source of all graces
The Cross of Christ, Pope Saint Leo the Great wrote in the fifth century, "is the fount of all blessings, the source of all graces" (Discourse 8 on the Passion of the Lord, 6-8; PL 54, 340-342).
We must never tire from considering anew the Cross of Christ – the instrument of the Lord’s Death. Our prayerful reading of the Gospel and meditations on the Mercy of God constantly bring us to encounter the Crucifixion of the Lord. At all times, but especially during these days of ‘Passiontide’, it is fitting to reflect upon the Cross of Christ. Know of your closeness in my heart as I make the Stations of the Cross today, I will apply the graces for ‘the People of the Parish’ and, as you are able, I invite you to take advantage of the
special indulgences associated with praying for the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.
May these final days of Lent, preparing us for Palm Sunday, Holy Week, and Easter Sunday be filled with grace – may each of you encounter the tender mercy of Christ through meditation on His Passion, Death, and Resurrection.
Know of my prayers for you, please pray for me!
Father Wilke
Saint Joseph, Guardian of the Redeemer, pray for us!