On Wednesday March 12, Father Lionel Pacheco CP gave a talk at Thomas Berry Place in Jamaica, NY.  He reflected on the Charism of St Paul of the Cross and how remembrance and prayer on the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ has the supernatural effect of “softening” our hearts wich may have been hardened and become stony and cold in reaction to so many negative things all around and within our personal lives. I really need this gift from God in order to love those whom I see as my enemies and enemies of humanity. I need the peace of mind that only God can give. Meditation on the Passion is helping me so much this Lent, yet it is not an easy road. 

     Father Lionel spoke of the mysticism of St Paul of  the Cross, but he also said something that moved my heart: all Christian mysticism comes from our “Mystic par excellence”, Our Lord Jesus Christ. Two great examples of this mysticism are found in the Gospels of the Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan, and of The Transfiguration. Father Lionel said something that I had never thought about. According to him, in those holy moments the human Jesus “saw” that His Heavenly Father “delighted” in His Son’s humanity. Our Father loves the people that He has created, specially because Jesus has made us His brethren. So Jesus was further inspired to respect and love and heal us, and even die for us.  We should be be inspired to try and do the same.

     And yet, I wonder, when these beloved children commit unspeakable acts of cruelty and destruction, how does our Heavenly Father feel?  Angry (“wrathful”), disappointed, sad, still forgiving, or something Holy and vast beyond our understanding?

     When His Son cried on the Cross, “My God, my God, why have You abandoned me?” How did our Father feel then, certainly not delight? How did our Lord feel? How did they feel about each other, and about us? I lose my mind within this vortex of emotions, trying to stay afloat, not to drown in confusion, or sorrow, or hopelessness. I feel with all my soul that at the very core of this whirlpool is LOVE, Love beyond my comprehension. I rest within this mystery and feel my heart of stone becoming just a little softer.

     Lord help us. Teach us to love and forgive. Thank You for the gift of Your Passion. May it be always in our hearts. 

Orlando Hernández