Christ on the cross
does not call us to passivity
any more than He calls us to fight
or to run away
Christ on the cross
calls us to love
to forgive
to pray for God’s mercy
even for those who hurt us
abuse us
reject us
abandon or betray us
for those who would take our lives
Christ on the cross
calls us to stand up for love
to lay down our lives for love
to never give up on love
~Robert Van Valkenburgh
Reflection:
Where in my life is Christ inviting me to respond to suffering not with withdrawal or retaliation, but with courageous, forgiving love?
Scripture:
“Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”
—Luke 23:34 (NRSV)
Grappling With Divinity 