THE KISS OF CHRIST

By Fr. Marino H. Msigala, OFM Capuchin

WORKOUT WEDNESDAY

A Midweek Spiritual Workout with
Fr. Marino H. Msigala, OFM Capuchin

THE KISS OF CHRIST

Lo, there He hangs –

Ashen figure pinioned against the wood.

God grant that I might love Him

As I know, I really should.

 

I draw a little closer

To feel His love divine,

And hear Him gently whisper

“Ah, precious child of mine –

 

If now I would embrace you,

My hands would stain you red.

And if I leaned to whisper,

My thorns would pierce your head.”

 


‘Twas then I learned in sorrow

That love demands a price.

‘Twas then I learned that suffering

Is but the kiss of Christ.

~This is variously attributed to Fr. John H. Hampsch, CMF or Caryll Houselander

 

On this SPIRITUAL WORKOUT WEDNESDAY, remember the suffering you or someone close to you has borne. Consider how that suffering was received: with anger, impatience, despair, or acceptance. How does the image of suffering as the kiss of Christ, help to soften the pain?

Fr. Marino H. Msigala, OFM Capuchin was born in Kibakwe, Mpwapwa, Dodama Tanzania, Africa, on January 23, 1978. He was ordained to the Ministerial Priesthood on July 12, 2012, by Archbishop Gervas John M. Nyaisonga. Following his service as Pastor in his home country of Tanzania, Father was commissioned to the Capuchin Franciscan Province of St. Augustine in Pittsburgh, PA, where he was assigned studies and pastoral duty at Immaculate Conception Church in Dudley, PA. After he completed his Master's Degree at Villanova University, Father was reassigned to serve as chaplain and pastoral care at West Penn Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA. He completed his ministry there and returned to Tanzania on May 7, 2024.

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