On October 20, Pope Francis participated in an International Prayer Meeting for Peace, in the presence of leaders of various Christian denominations, and urged everyone to follow Jesus’s example of self-giving love in order to spread peace.
In his homily, the Pope reflected on the temptation Jesus experienced amid the agony of the cross. “At the supreme moment of His sufferings and love, many of those present cruelly taunted Him with the words: ‘Save yourself!’ (Mk 15:30).”
The first to speak these words were “those who passed by (v.29).” They were ordinary people who had heard Jesus teach and perform miracles. “They only wanted miracles,” he said.
“Sometimes we too prefer a wonder-working God to one who is compassionate.” We want a God in our own image rather than being conformed to His own image, continued the Pope. “But this is not God”, he said, “but our own creation.”
The next people to speak the words “Save yourself” were the chief priests and the scribes: those who had “condemned Jesus, for they considered Him dangerous.” We are all “specialists in crucifying others to save ourselves,” said the Pope. But Jesus allowed Himself to be crucified, “in order to teach us to not shift evil to others.” The chief priests accused Him precisely because of what He had done for others: “He saved others and cannot save Himself!” (v. 31).
“Finally, those who were crucified alongside Jesus also joined in taunting Him,” continued the Pope. He explained that they were “upset with Jesus” because He did not take them down from the cross. They looked to Jesus only to resolve their problems, said the Pope.
Calvary is the site of “a great ‘duel’ between God, who came to save us, and man, who wants to save only himself; between faith in God and worship of self; between man who accuses and God who excuses,” the Holy Father said.
God wins in the end. “Jesus’ arms, outstretched on the cross, mark the turning point, for God points a finger at no one, but instead embraces all. For love alone extinguishes hatred, love alone can ultimately triumph over injustice. Love alone makes room for others. Love alone is the path towards full communion among us.”
(Photo: Vatican News) Tej Francis
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