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Gospel Reflection for Wednesday, March 12, 2025
Although the secularization of society is a process that began in the so-called modern age, at the beginning of the last century in some European countries, a deeply anti-clerical sentiment or state of opinion intensified, reflected in laws aimed at suppressing the power and social influence of the Catholic Church. In Spain, as we know, it was especially violent, even reaching physical extermination. The goal was to create a secular society where religion was confined to the private sphere and made invisible in public life. The Crucifix, which presided over many classrooms in Church schools but also traditionally in any institution, was banned… In that environment, a priest very connected to Catholic teachers’ movements, faced with the forced suppression of the crucifix, made a proposal to the teachers: ‘Be living crucifixes.’ That is: behave in such a way that you are a sign, a living sign of Christ’s presence.
In today’s readings, we find the theme of signs: Jesus appears disappointed by the blindness of people who ask for signs as if his mere presence, his message, and his actions were not evident. And he reproaches them by quoting Jonah: they will have no other sign than Jonah, whose word led the Ninevites to conversion and repentance. The sign of Jonah is his descent into the abyss – the depths of the sea and the belly of the whale – brought about by himself by assuming his guilt, and his reappearance three days later. Jesus will take on the guilt and descend to hell to rise on the third day. And that is the sign.
Let us not ask for another. Certainly, throughout the centuries, since its origin, the Church has witnessed amazing miracles and wonders… Signs of the existence and power of God. But the essential for our faith is the redemption and liberation from sin and death that has been given to us in Christ.
Being living crucifixes means living as Jesus lived and having his same feelings, transmitting his message by being his image in our words and deeds. It is good to meditate and contemplate the passion of Christ, to configure ourselves with Him. The sign of the cross is the sign of God with us that we must give to the world.