In the Light of the Cross

It is often difficult for us to hear what God is saying to us. We simply do not understand, because we are used to thinking according to our own limited perspective. Sometimes we are not at fault for this, but sometimes our sins and failings are what limit our understanding.

The Jews in today’s Gospel also fail to understand. They consistently do not comprehend Jesus’ words: they think he is talking about suicide, ask who he is out of bewilderment, and completely miss his point about the Father.

But this will not last forever. Jesus says, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I AM.”  In the light of the Cross, God stands revealed.

We can ask ourselves about the times we have failed to understand God: have I considered this in the light of the Cross?

—William Manaker, S.J. is a Jesuit scholastic of the Central-Southern Jesuit province, is studying philosophy at Loyola University Chicago.