Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Health Vailankanni

You owe your entire life to Christ Jesus since he gave his life for yours, and he bore bitter torments so that you would not bear eternal torment. What could be difficult or frightening for you when you call to mind that he, whose condition was divine, on the day of his eternity, before the daystar, in the splendor of the saints; he, the splendor and very imprint of God's being, came into your prison, sinking to his neck, as it is written, to the depths of your mire. (Phil 2:6; Ps 109[110]:3; Heb 1:3; Ps 68[69]:3) Who would not seem gentle in your eyes when you have taken to heart all your Lord's bitter pains, first of all remembering the restrictions of his childhood and then the fatigue of his preaching, the temptations of his fasting, his watching in prayer, tears of compassion and the traps set against him… then, too, the insults, spitting, slaps and whipping, the derision, mockery, nails and everything he bore for our salvation? What undeserved compassion, what a free love proved in this way, what unexpected esteem, what amazing gentleness, what unassailable goodness! The king of glory (Ps 23[24]) crucified as a contemptible slave! Who has ever heard of such a thing? Who has ever seen anything like it? For "only with difficulty does one die for a just person" (Rm 5:7). But he, he died for his enemies and the unjust, choosing to leave heaven in order to restore us to heaven; he, the sweet friend, the wise counselor, the steady help. How can I repay the Lord for all he has done for me? (Ps 116:12).

Other Thoughts

First

Last

Tuesday of the Fifth week of Lent

"When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I AM"

Shrine Counselling

Contact Shrine