Meditation on the Crucifixion; Forgive them for they know not what they do

While meditating upon the last sorrowful mystery, some thoughts occured to me regarding the crucifixion and the true meaning of love. Have I stopped and fully realized and appreciated the love shown by Jesus to those around him during the crucifixion? Jesus was nailed to the cross by those whom he created, fashioned together from his hands. As they were nailing Him to the cross, causing Him unimaginable agony, Jesus looked at them in love. He looked at them in love and forgave them. He asked His Father to forgive them. It was more than simple forgiveness, it was love. Love for the unlovable. It was not the kind of forgiveness that we all find ourselves granting from time to time because someone is "due" forgiveness because they apologized and its what we "should" do. It was rather, pure love and forgiveness. They didn't ask Him for it, they didn't say they were sorry. Still, He forgave and asked for them to be forgiven. He cried "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34 NAB). Such love is held in that sentence, that we can barely begin to understand it. Forgive them, as they were murdering him? Such compassion, such mercy is almost incomprehensible to us humans. We get that we have to forgive people. Sometimes, we manage to do well, other times we manage to forgive, but begrudginly. In that passage, He not only forgave them, He loved them. He loved them right there in the midst of their horrific behavior. He recognized that they didn't understand what they were doing. They didn't understand that right in front of them was pure love personified, crying out to them, reaching for them even in the midst of His torture at their hands. They didn't hear it, they didn't see it, they didn't believe it, and He still kept giving it. Do we understand that love? The love for the unlovable? or do we get miffed when someone says something unkind, gets short with us, or pushes our buttons? Can we look out and show Christ's love? We must. If He did that, and we know He did, then how can I not respond with love and compassion when someone hurts my feelings or causes me pain. We must carry Jesus to the world despite our brokeness of being human, and we must carry Him by showing nothing but love. So the next time someone says or does something to me unjustly, I hope to be able to remember this and to try to unite it to Jesus' suffering and look out with love. I hope that Jesus will look at that person through me, for when they see me, I want them to see something of Jesus. Even in the midst of correction, when it must be given, I want the world to see Jesus. In everything I do, I want the world to see Jesus. I sure am going to pray to try to be better at loving those around me.