The Sign that inspires

His outstretched arms on the cross are the most telling sign that he is a friend who is willing to stop at nothing: Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end (Jn 13:1). Saint Paul said that his life was one of complete trust in that self-sacrificing love: I now live by faith in the Son of God who loved me, and gave himself for me (Gal 2:20)…. Look to his cross, cling to him, let him save you, for those who accept his offer of salvation are set free from sin, sorrow, inner emptiness, and loneliness. And if you sin and stray far from him, he will come to lift you up by the power of his cross. Never forget that he forgives us seventy times seven. Time and time again, he bears us on his shoulders. No one can strip us of the dignity bestowed upon us by this boundless and unfailing love. With a tenderness that never disappoints but is always capable of restoring our joy, he makes it possible for us to lift up our heads and to start anew…. 

The Lord’s love is greater than all our problems, frailties, and flaws…. He embraced the prodigal son, he embraced Peter after his denials, and he always, always, always embraces us after every fall, helping us to rise and get back on our feet. Because the worst fall, and pay attention to this, the worst fall, the one that can ruin our lives, is when we stay down and do not allow ourselves to be helped up. His forgiveness and salvation are not something we can buy, or that we have to acquire by our own works or efforts…. His self-sacrifice on the cross is so great that we can never repay it, but only receive it with immense gratitude and with the joy of being more greatly loved than we could ever imagine: He loved us first (1 Jn 4:19). Keep your eyes fixed on the outstretched arms of Christ crucified…. And when you go to confess your sins, believe firmly in his mercy which frees you of your guilt. Contemplate his blood poured out with such great love, and let yourself be cleansed by it. In this way, you can be reborn ever anew.

Pope Francis