[Reflection
for the 12th Sunday in ordinary Time Year C Zech 12:10-11;13:1, Gal
3:26-29, Lk 9:18-24]
The prophet
Zechariah gives an uncommon prophecy, “I will pour out on the house of David
and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of compassion and supplication...” This
will enable them to raise their hearts and mourn for “him whom they have
pierced.” The mourning to be evoked would be great as in the plain of Megiddo. Compassion of heart implies that they
will associate themselves with the Pierced
One, and allow his agony to pierce their own hearts. Then there will be an
internal flow of cleansing, “a fountain opened for the house of David and the
inhabitants of Jerusalem...” Thus, The
Pierced One becomes the answer to their supplication as their hearts melt
before Him.
So we are all
heirs of this great promise since we have all been joined with Christ, we mourn
for Him as one weeps for an only-begotten
son. With our heads raised to His pierced side, we have become one people,
drinking from the same fountain and sharing the same promise as Abraham’s
offspring in faith. Our compassion and supplication has a common meeting point
in Christ. On the Cross hangs the heart of every Christian! “There is one Lord,
one faith, one baptism” (Eph 4:5). We see from the second reading that The Pierced One has become the fountain
of unity. His wound has healed our brokenness and disunity.
A gaze at the
Cross, full of compassion and supplication, is the right disposition we need to
answer the question, “But who do you say that I am.” Unless our hearts are
melted before Him as in the plain of
Megiddo, there is every tendency to misinterpret “The Christ of God” as the
one who saves through the cross. The Cross is the defining moment, the meeting
point!
“If any man
would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and
follow me.” Ironically, we are living in a society that is so much laden with
many crosses, but which vehemently rebels against the idea of a cross! How can
their wounds be healed? From which fountain will they be satisfied? Jesus
announces, “The Son of man must suffer many things...” And all who lift up
their hearts, who mourn with Him by accepting their daily crosses shall have
the prophecy of Zechariah fulfilled in their lives—they shall drink from the
fountain!
Therefore, our
compassion and supplication become a participation in His Cross and
Resurrection. By His wounds we have been
healed (1 Pet 2:24). Our internal groaning, compassion and supplication,
which is evoked by the Cross of Christ, brings healing and answers to our
prayers. Yes, Jesus saves us from within! Our daily crosses, joined with
Christ, now have a new meaning; they dispose us to drink freely from the
fountain. We cannot go through life
without bearing one inconvenience or the other. If we have nothing to suffer,
we have nothing to offer.
The Cross of
Christ is not the cause but a remedy to suffering. If we associate our pains
with His—mourning for Him as in the plain
of Meggido—we shall reign with Him (cf. 2Tim 2:12). Here we draw strength
to carry on. Our compassion is deepened and becomes genuine, and our
supplications are as heirs according to the promise made to Abraham’s
offspring.
Fr Jude Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Immaculate Heart Catholic Church,
Magodo, Sangotedo
Lagos, Nigeria.
19th June, 2016
