Reflections in Ordinary Time

Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time - September 25, 2005

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,
Who, though he was in the form of God,
Did not regard equality with God
As something to cling to,
But emptied himself,
Taking the form of a slave,
Being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form,
He humbled himself,
And became obedient to the point of death,
Even death on a cross.
Because of this, God highly exalted him,
And bestowed on him the name
That is above every name,
So that at the name of Jesus,
Every knee should bend,
In heaven and on earth and under the earth,
And every tongue should proclaim
That Jesus Christ is Lord,
To the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2: 5-11




At the Cross

This is your darkest hour.

We never imagined that what began with so much promise in Galilee just three short years ago would end like this.

We watch in fear from a distance as they carry out this horrible deed. They raise you up. You are a tortured, broken man. A jeering crowd surrounds you. They taunt you.

"He saved others, but he cannot save himself!"

Throughout this ordeal you have not answered your accusers. But now their taunts compel you to break your silence. Finally you speak, but we can hardly believe what we hear.

"Father, forgive them. They know not what they do."

Would that you had called down fire from heaven upon them instead. But surely we have seen often enough by now that your thoughts are not like ours.

They have deemed you a criminal. You are hung with thieves. Time and again you have reached out to sinners. It is this more than anything that has brought you to this end. But even now at this most desolate time your heart goes out to a sinner. One who hangs with you is repentant. Unlike the proud and the self-righteous who scorn you, this man asks for forgiveness. He utters a desperate cry for help.

"Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."

And in answer you speak words that will swell the hearts of sinners for ages to come.

"Today you will be with me in Paradise."

Now darkness comes over the earth. We wait. You cry out to your Father. And he takes you home. Only later would we understand that this dark hour at the cross was the most decisive moment in our history.

Lord Jesus, we are not the righteous and the strong. We are frail, sinful men, broken in spirit, and in need of your healing love. We too are repentant, and we seek your forgiveness. Do not treat us as our sins deserve, or we will be without hope. But remember us when you enter your kingdom.

God chose the most unlikely way to overcome the forces of evil in the world and win salvation for his people. He gave his own Son up to death to show the depth of his love. When we gaze upon the crucifix, we contemplate the deepest mystery of faith: that God would empty himself and enter fully into the human condition, so that we might be raised up to share in the life of God. If God would do this, surely his love has no limits.




Father, you show your almighty power in your mercy and forgiveness. Fill us with your gifts of love, and lead us to the eternal life you promise.

- from the mass for the Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time



Read another reflection on the crucifixion.

Pray the Stations of the Cross

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