“And I, when I am lifted up from the Cross, will draw all people to myself.” To Christians, these words of Jesus from the Gospel of John speak of the power of the cross to contain and enfold all the horror, pain and grief of the world in God’s uncompromising and enduring embrace of love.  The Cross is not merely our redemption, but also our reconciliation and restoration to God and to one another in Christ.

As you meditate upon the Crucifixion at the Eleventh Station, consider how we are called to the ministry of reconciliation in our own lives.   Consider how all of the problems which afflict humanity – poverty, conflict, disease, injustice – might be combated by building partnerships of reconciliation between nations and peoples.  Humanity is fundamentally interconnected; we are, as St. Paul tells us, all limbs and members of the same body.  Thus, when one part of the body suffers we all suffer.

To learn more about the principle of interconnectedness – and how partnerships of reconciliation can help bring healing to humanity – visit the UN’s Millennium Project at http://www.unmillenniumproject.org/.