APRIL 2000

"When I am lifted up from the earth,
I will draw everyone to myself."
(Jn 12:32)

    These are stupendous words with which Jesus gives us the key to Christianity. The feast of the Jewish Passover was approaching. In the crowd of pilgrims who had arrived in Jerusalem, there were also some Greeks who asked to "see Jesus." The disciples referred this to Jesus and he replied by speaking of his imminent death. Then he added that his death, rather than provoke the dispersion of the disciples—as could have happened—would draw "everyone" to himself, not only his own, but everyone who would believe in him, whether Jew or Greek: all, without discrimination as to race, social status or gender (see Gal 3:28).

   In fact, Jesus’ work of salvation is universal, and the presence of Greeks is a sign of this universality.

"When I am lifted up from the earth,
I will draw everyone to myself.’’

   What is the meaning of the words "when I am lifted up from the earth"?

    For John the Evangelist, this expression means "to be raised onto the cross" and "to be glorified." In fact, John sees the passion and death of Christ as the great demonstration of God’s love for humanity. But this love is so powerful that it merits the resurrection and draws everyone to himself. The unity of the new people of God is built up around Christ raised up from the earth.

    It is no longer possible to separate the cross from glory; nor is it possible to separate the Crucified Lord from the Risen Lord. They are two aspects of the same mystery of God who is Love.

   It is this Love that attracts. The Crucified-Risen Lord exerts a profound and personal attraction in the hearts of men and women in two ways: through it, Jesus calls his own to share in his glory; through it, he leads them to love everyone as he does, to the point of giving one’s life.

"When I am lifted up from the earth,
I will draw everyone to myself.’’

    How should we live this Word of Life? How should we respond to such great love?

    If Jesus died for all people, it means that all people are candidates to follow him; even more, all people are candidates to be another him. Let’s look at every person with these eyes, that is, with a look of love which goes beyond outward appearances.

    Whether they be Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, or of other convictions, all people should be the object of our love. We should love to the point of being ready to give our life. And even if we are not asked to give our physical life, we are often asked to die to our selfishness.

    When we lift our "ego" onto the cross, when we die to ourselves in order to allow Christ to live, then we, too, will see the Kingdom of God around us grow.

    It has been said that the world belongs to those who love it and can give the best proof of their love. Who loved the world better than Jesus? Those who seek to imitate him can love the world in this way too, by making themselves totally available to their neighbor with a selfless, universal love.

"When I am lifted up from the earth,
I will draw everyone to myself.’’

   During this month, we will try to welcome in our heart and translate into life the precious teaching of the Crucified-Risen Lord. It will cast light on the role of suffering, which can come into our life, and on its extraordinary fecundity.

    Day after day, whenever we are struck by small or big sufferings: a doubt, a failure, a misunderstanding, a tense relationship, a difficulty at work, an illness, a serious misfortune or worry, let’s try our best to accept them and to offer them to Jesus as an expression of our love.

    Let’s add our drop to the ocean of his passion for the good of many. Once the offering is made, let’s move on and do what God wants from us wherever we are: at home, in the factory, in the office, at school. Above all, let’s try to love those who are around us.

   And since Jesus died for everyone and everyone is called to follow him, let’s do all we can so that as many people as possible can find in our love the love of Christ. Then he will draw everyone to himself and, inducing us to love one another, we will see universal brotherhood bloom among all.

Chiara Lubich

The commentary to the Word of Life is translated in 90 different languages and dialects, and reaches more than 14 million people worldwide, through the press, and radio and TV programs. If you would like to read experiences of life related to this or to past "Words of Life," they can be found in Living City magazine, the monthly publication of the Focolare Movement. For information, or to subscribe, write to: Living City, P.O. Box 837, Bronx, NY 10465. A book, From Scripture to Life, containing Words of Life with commentary by Chiara Lubich and related experiences of life is available through New City Press, the publishing house of the Focolare, 202 Cardinal Road, Hyde Park, NY 12538.
To order the book or magazine, call: 1-800-462-5980. E-mail: info@newcitypress.com

© 2000 - Living City of Focolare Movement - P.O. Box 837, Bronx, New York 10465

Presented here with permission of the publishers

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