The measure of all things

‘You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.’ (John 18:37)

With the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, the cross of his Passion has become the measure of all things, the light that reveals the truth of our lives and the meaning of our times. It exposes human callousness and cruelty for what it is, the sadistic denial of justice, the resolute defiance toward the sanctity of human life and dignity, created in God’s image.

But it does much more than expose the ugliness of human beings and nations.  It holds the image of Jesus before our hearts as he is handed over—surrendering himself in love to the will of the One who is Love, refusing to hate, forgiving his enemies, caring for his mother, blessing a dying man at his side with the promise of paradise.

Bearing every ugliness the world can inflict upon him, the beauty of God, who is Love Unbounded, shines from him on Calvary’s dark mountain. Risen in glory, still bearing the wounds of love glorified, our Lord holds his wounded hands our eyes, speaking the one word that bears the power to heal us, ‘Peace.’

He is measure of love … for there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s enemies.

He is the measure of beauty … for there is no greater beauty than a heart fully surrendered to love the world in all its imperfection.

He is the measure of purity … for he willed but one thing … the blessed Kingdom of God in which the power of love overwhelms the love of power.

He is measure of truth … for the infinite love of God flowing from his wounded side is the beginning and end of all that is, all we are and all that will be.

He is the measure of joy … for his heart is the home for which our hearts long.

He is the measure of power … for he tramples the power of sin, death and hell underfoot and bears their captives to life.

‘Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” (1 Corinthians 15:54-55)

Let no tongue on earth be silent. Let every heart sing with tears of holy joy. Christ is risen. Life reigns. The banquet of eternity is set forth. Come, take and eat.