Have we become desensitized to the real suffering that Christ faced?

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ: For years we have heard the Passion of Jesus. Every Easter we hear the story of Jesus during his last 24 hours before his crucifixion. But have we become desensitized to the real suffering that Christ faced on that day. Over the two days, I have been seeing images of the Passion in my mind. The Passion has consumed my thoughts. “He suffered under Pontius Pilot, was crucified and was buried” – but why? In today’s Gospel (John 10:31-42), the Jews want to stone him and Jesus says to them, “I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of them are you trying to stone me.” Why do they want to stone someone who is doing good? In my images of the Passion, I see Jesus in total agony, his sorrow is heavy with the cross he is about to carry. When he is scourged, I see the flesh ripped from his body because of my sins. Jesus is taking a lashing for every one of my sins; for my greed, my gluttony, my lust. As I reflect on each of my sins, Jesus is struck again and again. As the whip of my sins tear through his body, his human flesh is ripped away exposing the spiritual nature of his inside. As Jesus is tortured for our sins, I see the pain and agony in his face. But when the scourging done he rises up and opens his arms to hold me. The light of the Holy Spirit comes shining through the gashes in his body. Because of my weakness, he takes the cross; he takes my cross and carries it to Calvary . There, I drive nails in his hands and feet. Again, the agony of my sinfulness is heavy on his face. I raise him in the air like a flag on pole and there in his total nakedness, his total abandonment he looks down at me and says, you are forgiven for I love you. “He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross, so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.” (1 Peter 2:24) Jesus wraps himself around me and the his blood covers me. His blood protects me. Jesus came to this world to bring us the Father. He did miracles so we would know he was the Son of God. He healed the sick and brought people back from the dead. Yet the Jews could not see that this “man” was the true son of God. In response to his great works, they accuse him of blasphemy. They wanted to punish him by stoning him. Jesus turned to God for his protection. It is difficult for us to see and accept all the Glory God pours out for us. We doubt what we see with our own two eyes. It is difficult for us to see the miracles that God performs everyday. We refuse to see the Holy Spirit as it descends into our souls. Yet we cannot deny the sacrifice that Jesus made for us on that cross. Know that he is looking down on us and forgiving us of our sins. The agony and torture he faced that Friday, the blood and sweat that poured from his body was done for our sins. Are you going to stone him or are you going to ask for his undying mercy at the cross? This coming week is Holy Week. Spend extra time examining your conscience. Go through your sins. Open your mind and accept that Jesus is the Son of God. Believe in his Word for the Word became flesh to save us from our sins. If we can see Christ in his sufferings, we will then realize the depth of his love for us. A Simple Prayer “Praise be to you, Lord Jesus Christ! You are the mercy of God. Praise be to you for your cross, which saved us and continues to deliver us from evil. Thank you, Father, for so great a redemption. May we always receive the protection of this sacrifice. May it keep us safe from all harm. Yours in Christ and in the Cross Michael Marcon