Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent

Readings of the Day

One of my favorite Lenten meditations is to sit quietly in front of a crucifix and simply reflect on what I see.  Christ crucified, with arms outstretched.  It is as if he is saying “I love you this much” as he died.  But, exactly what did He die for?   He died for each of us to be in right relationship, with God and with each other. 

That is what the cross represents.  The vertical section represents our relationship with God – the relationship between human on the bottom, and the divine on the top.  The horizontal section is our relationship with each other as brothers and sisters in Christ.

Being in right relationship with God and with each other is the “law” the Jesus came to fulfill.  When we sin, we break those relationships.  But, because of the forgiveness that Jesus taught, preached and lived, we can repair those relationships and be right with God and with each other.  May this season of Lent continue to be a time to love.  In this way, we continue Jesus’ mission not to abolish - but rather to fulfill the law - the law to love God and love each other.

Paul Kipfstuhl is the Social Action Director of Wayne, Ashland and Medina Counties for Catholic Charities in Cleveland.  He is also a Permanent Deacon for the Diocese of Cleveland, assigned to St. Francis Xavier Parish in Medina, Ohio.

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