Meditations on the Agony by Padre Pio

     I was reading Padre Pio’s meditations on the agony in the garden and he pointed out that Jesus took the blows of Divine Justice for the offenses for our sins on the Cross. I simply cannot comprehend this act. We gravely offend God with our sins every day and deserve the punishments of Hell and the blows of Divine Justice and righteous punishment upon us, yet we do not get it. Instead, the Almighty and Omnipotent God humbles Himself by becoming man and suffers with obedience on the Cross as we strip Him, beat Him, whip Him, and crucify Him.

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     Instead of the blows coming on us, which God, our creator, has all rights to do so, He allows us to put the blows on Him! Why would anyone do this? Someone offends Him and rather than Him striking back, He allows those who offended Him to beat Him. Why would anyone allow this? The almighty God becoming flesh? There can only be one explanation. Love. God screams to us “I love you” and He waits for us to shout back with our souls, “I love thee.” Oh God forgive us of every nail we have put in thy tender hands and every slash we have put in thy side! We beg thee for thy mercy for we are unworthy for thee to stoop down to us, most wretched sinners in the flesh. Have mercy on us most Sacred Heart of Jesus. ⚜️ -Catholica Romana (Note that we are only forgiven in ordinary circumstances through Jesus in confession if we are truly sorry and desire to amend our lives by avoiding sin)