Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Health Vailankanni

Those who shed Christ's blood did not do so to wash away the sins of the world... yet, without realising it, they aided the plan of salvation. The salvation of the world that followed owed nothing either to their might, or their will, or their intention, or their act, but came from the might, will, intention and act of God. Yet, in the outpouring of his blood, it was not just the hatred of his persecutors that was at work but also the Savior's love. Hate carried out its work of hate and love carried out its work of love. But it was not hate, but love, that brought about salvation. In shedding the blood of Christ, hatred emptied itself out “so that the thoughts of many hearts might be revealed” (Lk 2:35). And love, too, in pouring out the blood of Christ, poured itself out that humankind might know how much God loved it: “not even holding back his own Son” (Rm 8:32). “For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son” (Jn 3:16). This only Son was offered, not because his enemies had decided, but because he himself had so desired it. “He loved his own and he loved them to the end” (Jn 13:1). The 'end' was the death he had accepted for the sake of those he loved: this was the wholly perfect end, the end of perfect love. “For no one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for those one loves” (cf. Jn 15:13).

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"The scribes and Pharisees began to act with hostility toward him"

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