When we venerate the cross today and kiss the wounds of Jesus, may we be totally committed to Him, repentant of all sins, and zealous for everyone to know our crucified Savior's love. If obedience, repentance, and evangelization are not our responses to Jesus' sacrificial death, the cross of Christ is "rendered void of its meaning" (1 Cor 1:17). The Lord wants us to leave church today willing to suffer anything so as to lead as many as possible to Jesus (1 Cor 9:19).

After what Jesus has done for us, we must be willing to die, if only we can lead someone to Him. The greatest need of a starving person is not food but Jesus, the Bread of life. The greatest need of an abused person is not healing but the Healer. It is certainly true that we probably can't evangelize someone with an empty stomach; however, eternal salvation is of the greatest importance. Jesus will provide our daily bread and heal our wounds.

However, our need is not primarily for what Jesus can do; our primary need is the need for Jesus Himself. Starving or hurt persons can live forever in perfect happiness, but those who don't know Jesus are "among the living dead" (1 Jn 3:14). For those who believe in Jesus with all their hearts, the Lord turns even the most difficult lives into something glorious (Rm 8:28).

Good Friday will be good when we love Jesus by sharing the good news of His love for us.

Rescript:  †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General Archdiocese of Cincinnati, August 14, 2007

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