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single-minded dedication will have to face the Cross. It was not
easy;there were people who mocked at him, accused him, and
deserted him and fled. There were also people who wept for
him. Yet there were people who stood in silence and unmoved
as spectators. Moving towards the goal of life amid all these
people and circumstances is difficult; yet amid such defeating
circumstances, the Cross calls us to understand, interpret,
express, and fulfil life’s goal.

During times when the institution of marriage is being
challenged; when relationships inmulti-cultural and multi-
religious neighbourhoodsand communitiessuffer as faith
related sentiments polarise, exploiting lack of genuine trust and
commitment; when the relationships to the environ becomes
crucial for the very survival of the planet; when emerging
cultural values tempt people to become individualistic and
conveniently forget the responsibility towards the common
good and commitment for sharing and celebrating life together,
the cross beckons us for a critical re-think of values and goals.

In teaching and empowering people to live out
intrinsically-woven relationships, in educating and equipping
people to discharge responsibilities diligently with committed
faithfulness and in enabling and inspiring people to walk
steadfastly towards the goal of life, the Cross gives a new vision
of life in all its fullness.

Cross is the vision of God

The Cross is often a sign of forsakenness, abandonment,
wretchedness, exclusion and elimination. Often, we, in our
hopelessness, amid suffering, pain, sorrow and doubt, question:
Has God forsaken us? If God were there, how could this happen?
Even Jesus cried on the cross, “My God, My God why have you
forsaken me?” (Matt 27:46). On the Cross, God forsakenness
was a real experience for Jesus.When the dark clouds of terrible

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Lenten Meditations Re - Imaging People