Today we end Year C of our lectionary, the year when we have heard the Gospel of Luke read on many Sundays. Today we hear part of Luke’s passion account. Jesus is on the cross, speaking with the criminals being crucified on either side of him. It is a suffering and seemingly defeated King we are given today. Perhaps the second reading from Colossians gives us ears to hear the Gospel: “For in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile all things … making peace through the blood of the cross.” What is going on in our Gospel is not a futile death but a work of peace-making through nonretaliation, nonviolence and forgiving love. When rifts occur in our families, our friendships, our work relationships, how often the opposite occurs — violent and angry language, retaliation, long-remembered resentments. What better way to end our church year than to imitate Jesus’ behavior instead?
– Blog entry by Sister Mary Garascia