For daily readings, see http://www.usccb.org/nab/091407.shtml
"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46)
Pope Benedict XVI in his new book Jesus of Nazareth speaks at length about the mystery of Jesus’ identity. The Pope states that what makes Jesus a completely unique person within the salvation history of man is that Jesus always speaks to God face to face, as with a friend. The pope makes such a convincing point and teaches us how to read the Gospels and to distinguish the Christ of faith from the Jesus of history. I enjoyed the book so much, and will read it over many times, but I look forward to the next volume when the Pope will meditate on Jesus as He hangs from the cross. Jesus’ famous statement – My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? – shows the human nature of Jesus in such stark contrast to his divine nature. Maybe I am wrong in saying this, but our understanding of Jesus as the one who constantly speaks to God face to face is suspended during his final moments on the cross, when Jesus seems to have no awareness of the presence of His heavenly Father.
I think Jesus’ statement from the Holy Cross is meant to show us that even if our human nature is unable to behold God face to face, at least on this side of heaven, it is possible for us through an act of the will to fulfill the commandment of love – to empty ourselves for the good of another. Jesus tells his disciples that He loves them more than He loves His own life, and has handed over to them everything that He has received from His heavenly Father. It is on the cross that his love becomes most accessible to us, for He not only offers us His very lifeblood, but even empties Himself of the assurance of talking to God face to face. On the cross Jesus comes most fully in human likeness and in human appearance. It is no wonder that the crucifix will always be our favorite image of Jesus, and our greatest consolation in this life.
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