Walking the way with Jesus

During this Holy Week we want to walk the way of the cross together.

Jesus is betrayed by His own friends, denied and abandoned by His own people. How painful it is when a relationship is broken by those we love and trust. When we experience exclusion instead of belonging. Despite all the pain, Jesus remains in relationship. He does not withdraw. He asks Judas: "With a kiss you betray the Son of Man" and He does not close His eyes to Peter either but looks at him after he denied Him three times. Jesus remains in relationship with us, always! No matter what we have done or left undone, His loving gaze is always upon us.

Do we dare to return His gaze? Jesus, through whom we experience the love of God for mankind, is condemned to death. Pontius Pilate passes sentence against his conviction to protect himself and his reputation. Where fear and oppression prevail, love finds no room. Where fear reigns, love is condemned to death. Let us take care that we do not let ourselves be dominated by fear.

Respect and caution are important, especially now our caution determines how fast and how violently the corona virus spreads. But where we allow ourselves to be guided by fear, this can lead to, for example, panic buying or disinfectants being stolen in hospitals. Or to hostility towards doctors and nurses because of the fear of infection...

It is not often that obvious that self-centredness can turn into exclusion and a danger to others.

Jesus takes up His cross - for us.

Will we stay with Him?

Sr. Mirjam Engert