Divine Love
It was about noon and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out in a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, He breathed His last…
Luke 23:44-47
Devotion
For the past five weeks we have journeyed alongside Jesus, from his youth to his ministry. Jesus, clothed in humanity, walked the backroads of Palestine, experiencing the joys and disappointments of ordinary life. During this time, he grew in wisdom and in favour with God and man. In our weekly devotionals, we sat beside him as he was tempted in the desert and we celebrated with him and the bride and groom at a wedding in Cana. We listened as Jesus taught us how to live in the Kingdom of God – not apart from Him but abiding in Him, as fruit on a vine. In his short lifespan, Jesus showed us how to live with God by modeling a life of obedience, mercy and love.
Jesus, who we observed as a child, friend, and teacher soon reveals himself to us as Savior. This week we enter into the Passion of Jesus. We journey with him from his triumphal entry into Jeruselem, to the Temple, to the Last Supper and then on to Gethsemene and the cross.
The path to cross was Jesus’ final act in a life of loving obedience to the Father. At the cross, Jesus surrenders to death in order to transform it. Through Jesus we are reconciled back to God and His original desire for humanity – to be in communion with the Divine. . . Jesus’ death on the cross does not establish God’s love – it stems from it. The cross gives us a glimpse into the heart of God, who would prefer his own death to our own. (Julie Canlis, Theology of the Ordinary)
As we move into Holy Week and contemplate the death of Jesus on the cross, consider his life of obedience, born of love and reconciliation, both divine and human. Let His life and death be a reflection of God’s divine love for you.
Reflection
In Jesus, we are being re-created step by step. Where are you finding yourself on your spiritual journey during Holy Week? How have you experienced Jesus during this time? Moving forward, what will you carry into your community as evidence of Christ’s love?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, draw our attention toward your Son this week, both his life and death. Slow us down. Open our eyes to your infinite love for us and for all of creation, so that we, in turn, may fall deeper in love with you.