Look at Jesus on the cross

Today, we are in the season of Lent and in preparation for the coming significant event in our country, the May 2007 Elections.

In his recent first of the series of Pastoral Reflections on Elections, the Most Rev. Leonardo Z. Legaspi, O.P. says, “Both Lent and the Elections bid us to engage into an act of examination.” After giving the Christian guide for examining one’s self in the sphere of relationships, the Archbishop invites the faithful for an examination in the level of society, particularly in the conduct of elections. He then gave specific qualifications of a good public official namely: Competence, Personal Integrity and Commitment to the Common Good. This serves as a clear consideration for the people in effecting good change for the country – examination of self and society.
But how do we start examining and renewing ourselves? How do we change our society? To whom shall we look up to as our model?

“Let us look at Christ pierced on the Cross!” the Holy Father, Benedict XVI strongly calls us in his message for Lent 2007. His Holiness dwelt on the theme of love fully expressed in his crucifixion and death. He says, “Let us direct our gaze in this time of penance and prayer at Christ Crucified who, dying on the cross, revealed fully for us the love of God… The response the Lord ardently desires of us is above all that we welcome his love and allow ourselves to be drawn to him… We need to respond to such love and devote ourselves to communicating it to others.”

Looking at “Christ pierced on the cross” (Jn. 19: 37) then is our source and model in examining and renewing ourselves and our society.

We live it by responding to the call of our dear Archbishop, “Let us examine the quality of our love… Let us repent; do penance, fast and give alms; let us offer sacrifices, for ourselves and for our country.
We live it by receiving the blessing of the Holy Father, “May Mary, Mother of Beautiful Love, guide us in this Lenten journey, a journey of authentic conversion to the love of Christ.”