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abandonment cover and encircle, the Cross is considered
foolish and scandalous by many. But exactly at that point, the
Cross becomes the altar of God’s vision, the sacred moment of
the revelation of God’s wisdom, power and strength. We need
to listen intently to the prayers of Jesus on the Cross - Father,
my God, my God-all proclaim the surety of the real presence of
God. God is with us each and every moment. Especially when we
pass through the valley of darkness, pain, sorrow, suffering and
distress, God walks with us very closely, as a faithful companion.
Sometimes we are so overwhelmed that though we know the
ideal, we cannot reach it, though we know the right, we cannot
do it, though we do recognise our duty, we cannot perform it,
though we know the truth, we cannot reach it, though we know
the path, we cannot walk through it, though help is at hand we
cannot recognise it, though God accompanies us, we cannot see
and comprehend.

In the narrative of Abraham preparing to sacrifice his
son Isaac, in obedience to the word of the Lord, a perplexed
father is confronted by the question, “Father! The fire and the
wood are here, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?”
(Genesis 22:7). When Abraham built an altar and laid the wood
in order, he bound his son Isaac, and laid him on the altar, on
top of the wood. When he was ready to give his son in sacrifice,
he experienced Jehovah Jireh - the Lord will provide. When he
gave, he did see and find. He not only understood the secret
of being provided for, but that those who hold on to life, will
lose it, those who lose it will find it. The Cross is the place and
the space wherein we are given grace to behold God’s wisdom,
power and authority, the self-revelation of God in that which is
despised, stricken, afflicted, oppressed and slaughtered.
The victims of the empire, trafficked and exploited
women and children who cannot even cry and narrate, bonded
laborers who do not dare to dream, the victims of abuse and
violence who, in their silence speak volumes, the migrants and
the refugees who are told that they are no people, the victims of

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Lenten Meditations Re - Imaging People