Wednesday, March 28, 2007

SILENT GAZE


What is my brother Dibia doing in the picture above? He is gazing at the cross inside St. Patrick's Alaba. Yes! Lent is a favourable time to pause and reflect on the mystery of the Crucified. This is the message Pope Benedict XVI passed across in his Lenten address. They shall look on Him whom they have pierced (Jn 19:37). This is the biblical theme that this year guides our Lenten reflection. Lent is a favourable time to learn to stay with Mary and John, the beloved disciple, close to Him who on the Cross, consummated for all mankind the sacrifice of His life (cf. Jn 19:25). With a more fervent participation let us direct our gaze, therefore, in this time of penance and prayer, at Christ crucified who, dying on Calvary, revealed fully for us the love of God"
It is rewarding to maintain a silent gaze at the Crucified. This will dispose us to internalize this mystery. The possibility of encounter with the Divine, which silence brings, in turn gives silence its great relevance--its elusiveness, its mystery!