Were you there when they crucified my Lord? This song is so haunting. It grabs a hold of your heart and does not let go. We of course were not there literally but can we imagine being there? It is one of the methods of prayer and meditation that is used during Ignatian retreats. You are instructed to place yourself at the foot of the cross during Christ's crucifixion. You are urged to place yourself in Mary's shoes. You are encouraged to be one of the soldiers or Jews standing by the cross. You are asked to be John or Peter. What did they feel at this moment? Did the immensity of the moment overwhelm them? How intense it must have been to have to stand by and watch as the Son of God was nailed to a tree. The Jesus we see on a modern day crucifix is not marred by the lash marks. His body does not appear as it would have on that day, bloody and beaten. That alone would have caused many of us to weep. But the ultimate sacrifice, what would you have done at that moment? Jesus knew his fate and yet He walked the walk anyway. He dies for our sins so that we may have eternal life with Him in Heaven. How can we not accept His gift? The love that Jesus exhibited for us is so overwhelming that I find it hard to even comprehend. It is part of the mystery of the Holy Trinity for me. So placing yourself at the cross on Good Friday more than 2000 years ago is a good thing to do when you are concluding your Lenten journey. It is appropriate as we contemplate the next part of our journey with God. We are not aware of what is to come but you know it is going to be blessed as long as you are committed to your relationship with Jesus. We may tremble at the vision of Jesus being nailed to the tree but we can revel in the promise of salvation through His sacrifice. Were you there when they crucified my Lord? Are you still allowing our Lord to be crucified? Are you the one doing the deed or are you doing His work instead? Are you bringing people to the cross so that they can know Jesus?
Pope Saint John Paul II , a towering figure of the 20th century, was a staunch critic of socialist ideologies. He recognized the inherent flaws in systems that sought to control economies and societies through centralized planning and state ownership. The pontiff's teachings offered a prophetic warning against the dangers of such regimes, which often led to oppression, poverty, and the erosion of individual freedoms. Recently, a conference organized by the Catholic Association of Propagandists in Spain brought together prominent figures who echoed the concerns raised by the late Pope. Bishop José Ignacio Munilla of Orihuela-Alicante boldly declared socialism an "enemy of the cross," highlighting its incompatibility with Christian values. He emphasized the need for a spiritual renewal, urging individuals to embrace the cross as a path to true happiness and fulfillment. French philosopher Fabrice Hadjadj also addressed the challenges posed by modern society, warning ag...
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