No Greater Love

Our journey through the desert of Lent has brought us to this point: Holy Week and the cross. On this Palm Sunday, we walk along beside Christ as He lays down His life for us. Imagine you are there with the Blessed Mother, St. John, and the Magdalen as they walk with Jesus through His passion. Helplessly, you watch Jesus suffer as He is beaten, mocked, spat on, and crowned with thorns. Imagine yourself there, walking your own Way of the Cross. Smell and taste the dust of the road, see the weight of the Cross heavy on His shoulder, the sound of the crowds jeering.

See the love on His face as He gives up every earthly thing: his clothes as He is stripped, His mother who He gives to St. John (John 19:226-27), His very life. Hear the terrible sound of the nails as they are driven into His precious body. As you stand at His feet, listen to the anguish in His voice as He cries out, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” (Psalm 22:2; Matthew 27:46). We stand in grief, awe, and disbelief—Christ has died.

Jesus suffered all this for us. He would have died if only one person would have been saved. He would have given His life if that person was you: “You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). He loves you that much.

“In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10). 

May we recognize the priceless gift of Christ’s body, blood, soul, and divinity that He poured out for us. May we look upon the cross and see not only the nails and thorns but also His amazing love. “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13). May we receive His love with open hearts and pour it out freely to God and others. May this pouring out of ourselves be our greatest joy. 

Father, Son, Holy Spirit: pour Your divine love into my heart. Help me to receive and give it freely and joyfully. May my life be a gift of love to others in imitation of You.