成人快手

A reflection and prayer to start the day with Dr Geraldine Smyth OP.

Good Morning. No carved crucifix or cross can communicate the height and depth, length of and breadth of divine-human love. Many do find the cross a tangible aid to devotion, or in reminding them that,鈥� 鈥淕od so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son ...鈥� Others prefer to identify with the dying Jesus in the way he engaged with those around him, or in relation to the meaning for us of the whole laying down his life for others 鈥� not separate or nailed down 鈥� but with a heart open to heaven and earth. Jesus lived, spoke, breathed his act of redemption. The Gospel reveals him uttering promises, showing concern for others now and afterward, praying with the Psalmist. His whole being opens out, in communion with His Father and the suffering of the ages, inviting us today to follow his way and example wherever people are to suffering.

Austrian poet Rainer Maria Rilke urges us to see through the cross and not to make of it a dead end He Was it not, after all, only a crossroads... It certainly should not be stamped on us on all occasions like a brand-mark: He, on the cross, is the new tree in God, and we were to be warm, happy, fruit at the top of it.鈥�
Far better to occupy ourselves simply and quietly with God.鈥� He warns Christianity must give up settling down at the cross, but 鈥渢o enter, at last into this state of redemption...鈥� The entire point is missed if 鈥渢he journey does not begin to follow the direction of the arms of the cross鈥�.
May some fruit of the tree of Christ鈥檚 passion fall on us, and spring up in loving service, and the dawning-hope of New Creation, Amen