“When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men to myself” (Jn 12:32). What is it about the cross that is so compelling? The answer, of course, is love. The idea of a Suffering Messiah who would be rejected, put to death and rise again to prove how much God loves the men and women he created never ceases to fascinate and move us. In daily reflections from Scripture, the present work helps us to explore the multi-faceted aspects of this mystery of our faith. In addition to the meditations there is a brief prayer and a series of questions for personal reflection. In the course of these forty days of Lent, we accompany Jesus from the Mountains of the Beatitudes and the Transfiguration to the hill of Calvary and the cross. The story, of course, does not end with the empty tomb to which our journey leads. It takes us beyond Easter down the road to Emmaus and out to the four corners of the world as we live each day proclaiming: “It is true. He has been raised from the dead.” And because He lives, we too can hope to live forever.
About the Author: Regular columnist for the New Orleans Archdiocesan newspaper, the Clarion Herald, and a collaborator on the Focus Worldwide TV Network, Father William F. Maestri is the author of more than a dozen Alba House books, including the copasion to this book, Figures Around the Crib (Alba House, 2001). He is also responsible for an equal number of Alba House audio and video tapes. Retreat director and guest lecturer, Father Maestri likewise finds time in his busy schedule to attend to his pastoral duties at St. Pius X Church in New Orleans.