Jesus Victim

“No one who does not carry his cross and come after me can be my disciple.” (Luke 14,27)

Jesus the Victim lived and died to save us. He became obedient unto death and death on the cross to free us from the slavery of sin. The Cross thus became the symbol of the Christian mystery of redemption, for on it, our Savior freely chose to die. Thus, the Cross is an essential part of the life of every Christian. If we are followers of Christ, we must also be ready to “carry the cross daily” (cf. Lk 9,23). But this cross is made to measure for each one because, “God does not test anyone beyond his strength” (1 Cor. 10,13).

“The true Christian is another Christ. He can and must say: “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Gal. 2:20). His thinking is Christ’s thinking, determined by the doctrine of the Supreme and Divine King; his speaking and acting is Christ’s speaking and acting, inspired by the Spirit of Christ. The true Christian works in everything according to the mind of Christ and in virtue of the life of Christ, of that divine life which he carries in his soul as sanctifying grace”.

Let us not live as “enemies of the Cross of Christ” (Phil. 3:18), but let us say like St. Paul: “I have been crucified with Christ and live, yet not I, but Christ lives in me” (Gal. 2:19). May our life and works reflect the life of Jesus the Victim who “loved me and gave himself for me” (Gal. 2:20b).

Jesus, Victim of sinners, make our hearts like yours.