Drawn to the Crucified One
Some “Greeks,” probably pagans, come up to the disciples with an admirable request: We would like to see Jesus. When this gets communicated to Jesus, he responds with a vibrant discourse that sums up his life’s profound meaning. The hour has come. All, Jews and Greeks alike, will very soon be able to grasp the mystery of his life and his death: When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.
When Jesus is raised up on a cross and is seen crucified on Golgotha, all will be able to know God’s unfathomable love and will become aware that God is love and nothing but love for every human being. They will be attracted by the Crucified One. They will discover in him the supreme manifestation of God’s Mystery.
For this to happen, of course, there is need for something more than just having heard the doctrine of redemption being talked about. More than just assisting in some religious event during Holy Week is needed. We have to fix our inner gaze on Jesus and let ourselves be touched upon discovering in the crucifixion the final gesture of a life handed over day by day for a more human world for everyone, a world that finds its salvation in God.
But we probably begin to know Jesus truly when we, attracted by his complete dedication to the Father and by his passion for a happier life for all God’s children, listen, albeit weakly, to his call, Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be.
Everything starts from a desire to “serve” Jesus, to work with him in his task, to live only for his project, to follow his footsteps in order to show in many ways and with poor gestures, almost always, how God loves us all. Then we begin to turn into his followers.
This means sharing his life and his destiny: “Where I am, there also will my servant be.” To be a Christian is this: to be where Jesus was, to be about what he was about, to have the goals he had, be on the cross as he was, to be some day at the Father’s right as he is.
What would a Church “drawn” to the Crucified One be like, a Church driven by the desire to “serve him” and only him, engaged in the things that he was engaged in? What would a Church that draws people to Jesus look like?
March 22, 2015
5 Lent (B)
John 12, 20-33