Cardinal Edwin F. O’Brien used his final chance to lead the Archdiocese of Baltimore Youth and Young Adult Pilgrimage to remind attendees that love is rarely easy and is always selfless.
The cardinal delivered the reflection during the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament March 31 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Baltimore. Hundreds attended the pilgrimage, which also had stops at St. Alphonsus, War Memorial Plaza and St. Casimir in Canton.
“The cross reminds us of what God did for us in Jesus,” the cardinal said. “He died on the cross out of love. Love always involves some death – death to self for others. Isn’t it true of marriage? Isn’t it true in family life? Isn’t it true in any vocation we are called to? If we love, we will surrender ourselves. We will empty ourselves.”
Joy, he said, is the result. And he used Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross as an example. Listen to Cardinal O’Brien’s reflection below. More will be coming soon on the blog.