LOOK UPON THE FACE OF THE CRUCIFIED JESUS

FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT (B) 18 March 2012

John 3, 14-21

Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.” (NIV)

LOOK UPON THE FACE OF THE CRUCIFIED JESUS

José Antonio Pagola

Translated by Rev. Fr. Valentine de Souza S. J.

 John, the evangelist, tells us of a mysterious meeting of Jesus with Nicodemus, an important Pharisee. According to the story, it is Nicodemus who takes the initiative to go “at night” to where Jesus is. He intuitively sensed that Jesus is “a man come from God”, but he is in the dark about him. Jesus will lead him towards the light.

 In the story, Nicodemus stands for anyone who sincerely seeks to meet Jesus. That is why, at a certain point, Nicodemus disappears from the scene and Jesus continues his discourse to end with a general invitation not to live in darkness but to seek the light.

According to Jesus, the light that can clarify everything is found in the Crucified One. It’s a bold statement: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Are we able to see and feel the love of God in that man tormented on the cross?

 From childhood we have got used to seeing the cross everywhere, so we have not learnt to look upon the face of the Crucified Jesus with faith and love. Our casual look cannot find in that face the light that could illuminate our lives in the hardest and most difficult times.


 Jesus, however, is sending us signs of life and love from the cross. In those outstretched arms that can no longer embrace children, and in those hands nailed to the cross that can no more caress lepers or bless the sick, God is there with open arms to welcome, embrace and sustain our poor lives devastated by so much suffering.

From that face lifeless in death, from those eyes that can no longer look tenderly upon sinners and prostitutes, from that mouth that cannot cry out in anger on behalf of the victims of so much abuse and injustice, God reveals to us his “love unto folly” for Humanity.


“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” We can accept that God or we can reject him. No one compels us to do so. It’s up to us to decide. But “light has come into the world.” Why do we so often spurn the light that comes to us from the Crucified Jesus?


He can bring light to the most miserable and futile life, but “everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.” When we live undignified lives, we avoid the light because we feel unworthy before God. We do not want to look upon the Crucified One. On the other hand, “whoever lives by the truth comes into the light.” He does not escape into the darkness. He has nothing to hide. He seeks with his look the Crucified Jesus who brings him to live in the light.

Radiate the light of the Crucified Jesus

Source: 

Jose Antonio Pagola, vgentza@euskalnet.net , San Sebastian, Guipuzcoa, Spain.

English Translation by Valentine de Souza S.J. Mandal, Gujarat , India.394650

Subscription is free. To unsubscribe e-mail: vallydesouza@jesuits.net,