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or friend without an intention to return. The whole passion
narrative is about the forsakenness, betrayal and shame. When
Jesus candidly spoke of his suffering, his disciples had promised
that they will go with him even to suffer. For instance, Peter
said, “let’s go and die”. However, when ‘the hour’ had come, the
disciples deserted him and ran away. Desertion was a result of
misconception of Jesus’ humanity and divinity! It was actually
when Jesus most needed the presence of his disciples that they
deserted him! The disciples had not understood the divinity
of Jesus fully, hence they could not repose their confidence in
him, but fled in order to save their lives. This young man in the
narrative too forsook Jesus, like all other disciples. This vividly
reflect the human weakness in keeping up the resolutions and the
relationships! Cross stands as a powerful symbol for desertion.
There are many who experience the cross by silently suffering
from desertion and loneliness, contemplating on ending their
lives! But Christ’s victory over sin and death; over the powers of
empire that subjugate, exclude and eliminate has the message of
hope and consolation.

Conclusion
Today’s youth are robbed of youthfulness. Due to their
curiosity and impulsivity, they seldom live in the present. They
are unable to be what they ought to be in the race to get ahead
of everyone. They are caught up in anxiety that destroys their
peace as well as energy. Most often this scenario is the cause for
them to be entangled with violence, substance abuse and anti-
social activities. Cross offers a new vision for life for all. When
we re-image the cross with the encounters and experiences of
people, we are driven to hope, and not despair. In our world,
there are millions without food, clothing, shelter and denied
of basic rights. There are those who go through the trauma of
being lonely and deserted. There are those who are silenced by
the powers and structures. There are those who live in utter
anxiety and fear of death. May the Cross of Christ empower us

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Lenten Meditations Re - Imaging People