Com passion ate

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041825.cfm

As you might have figured out, I was struggling with the title for today's reflection. I think I will walk you through the progression in my mind, because I fell it led me to a great appreciation of what Our Lord was doing with and for us on Good Friday.

I started with the word 'passion'. As we often do in our English-speaking world, we coopted this noble word for our own purposes. We will automatically conjure up ideas of romantic passion or a drive for something in our lives. While we might be able to connect these concepts to what Jesus does in His passion, we probably don't realize that what Jesus does in His Crucifixion IS passion. It is the original definition of the word, and the reason the word was created. All other uses were somehow derived from this one. His love for us, expressed in the Crucifixion came to be the definition of love and devotion. Wow.

And here's the thing, His passion was not just something He did. It was the very fiber of his being, He was passionate. His love for us culminated in His Passion, but it didn't begin there. It began when He consented to the plan of God for humanity, which involved becoming human to save humans who had betrayed Him.

One last thought is this - He saved us by being with us - compassionate. He suffered everything we suffered with us. Because of this He never looks down on our suffering or even our sin. He understands and desires good things for us, including healing and growing from our sins. This is what Jesus is about: being compassionate - He would love for us to try it.