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| Cemetery Shrine at the Pontifical College Josephinum |
"And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away. And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience." -Luke 8:13-15
Just as a seed must first die if it is to bear fruit, so too did Jesus have to die that we could come to life in Him. By Jesus' death upon the cross, He poured out His very self, the Divine Word of God, upon all souls in a wellspring of Divine Mercy.
With what suffering did Jesus undergo this agony. Not only was there the physical pain of being scourged, crowned with thorns, beaten, and crucified, but beyond that was there a deep spiritual anguish in that so many souls would ignore, reject, and deny this unrequited gift He made for them.
How many souls, though first receiving Christ with joy and excitement, soon soon lose their zeal to follow Him wholeheartedly? How many souls, at first rejoicing to be saved in Jesus' victory, soon forget it and push it away when faced with moments of humble faith in receiving His help? How many souls, upon encountering Jesus' total self-sacrifice for them, only enter this way in the paths that are most comfortable or convenient for them?
"Peter said to [Jesus], 'Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.' Jesus said, 'I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.
...Still another insisted, saying, 'certainly this man also was with Him, for he too is a Galilean.' But Peter said, 'Man, I do not know what you are talking about.' And immediately the cock crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how He had said to him, 'before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.' And he went out and wept bitterly." -Luke 22: 33-34, 60-62
These souls caused intense sorrow for the Lord. The same souls who promised to follow Him completely, join Him in mission, and be with Him constantly in friendship, soon took Him for granted, avoided Him, abandoned Him... and killed Him. The same people that rejoiced to see Jesus humbly and triumphantly enter into Jerusalem, covering the ground before Him with their peace offerings of palms and cloaks, took His blood upon themselves and their children.
We are this same people. We who quickly take back our love from Him as soon as receiving His mercy becomes difficult are just as responsible for His murder. We are the souls He wept for in the garden, and on the Via Dolorosa.
"Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children... For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?" -Luke 23: 28, 31
And yet, we are the same souls who Jesus nonetheless chose to suffer and die for, even while knowing our unfaithfulness and indifference. We are still the souls that He prayed and begged the Father for, that we would not enter into temptation (Luke 22: 40, 46)-- for we are so weak that the smallest temptation takes us away from His love.
Today we have begun Holy Week. Up till now, we have been faced with our own weakness; how little we have loved the Lord this Lent! How little has our fasting, prayer, and almsgiving been given out of true love of Him!
But now we find ourselves set in the motion of Holy Week, of the greatest gift of Divine Mercy for us. Now is our chance. Now is the time of salvation!
Father: lead us not into temptation! Aid us in our trial! Do not let us be unfaithful to your Son-- awaken a deep, supernatural love of Him in our hearts!
"Stay with me, Lord, for it is necessary to have You present so that I do not forget You. You know how easily I abandon You. Stay with me, Lord, because I am weak and I need Your strength, that I may not fall so often... It is getting late and death approaches, I fear the darkness, the temptations, the dryness, the cross, the sorrows. O how I need You, my Jesus, in this night of exile!" -St. Pio of Pietrelcina
Father: you must grant us union with the Immaculate, Sorrowful Heart of Mary. For it is Her heart alone, Father, that loved your son Jesus, without the slightest stain of sin, without the smallest imperfection of pride. Her heart can guide our hearts to true and constant love of Him, if only you fill us with miraculous graces through Her hands. We pray for Her intentions, that all souls may be saved in this way.
"Virgin of all virgins blest! Listen to my fond request: let me share thy grief divine; Let me, to my latest breath, in my body bear the death of that dying Son of thine. Wounded with His every wound, steep my soul till it hath swooned, in His very Blood away; Be to me, O Virgin, nigh, lest in flames I burn and die, in His awful Judgment Day." -Stabat Mater Dolorosa, St. Bonaventure
Sorrowful, Immaculate Heart of Mary: lead us in this Holy Week to true love of your son, Jesus.
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