Raymond Bernard Goudjo

The true face of Christ (Saint Veronica) Raymond Bernard Goudjo

An open heart embraces all the reality of human limits and grasps in depth the boundless dimensions of mercy. And this heart is that of Jesus. Although to our eyes it may have appeared closed, the soldier's lance that pierced his heart does not reveal the outpouring of gall and bitterness, but the gush of life (blood and water) that refreshes and gives birth again to all ages. The face of Jesus permeates every open human heart and allows itself to be contained by the dimensions and dispositions of each heart without limiting the dimensions of "God is Love". Loving one's neighbour means having one's heart open to the humanity of one's neighbour; it means loving what I do not love in myself, my vulnerabilities. If the neighbour, in this case the poor, initially repels us, it is because there is nothing about him that fascinates us. His condition frustrates my dignity and my fundamental desire to be more.