Violence is opposed.

Violence will not solve things. Freedom must be adequately respected. Violence is an obstacle, not progress. Also, the teachings of Christ, given non-violently, will surely attract more and also strengthen a person in his faith.

The personality of Nicodemus in the Gospel is proof of this. Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish high council, often visited Christ, especially at night. In these meetings, the main topic was faith. Nicodemus became convinced that nothing is as essential for a person as faith. Christ explained to him that without faith it is impossible to be like God and that the victory in which the world triumphs is our faith. Nicodemus believed Christ.

Today, the Church wants to point out to us the circumstances that should prepare us for a proper understanding of the truth of the death and resurrection of Christ. The Church wants us to be broken neither by suffering, torture, nor death so that we may believe more in Christ, the world’s Savior. In the Gospels, we read that Jesus often asked for strong faith from his listeners during his public appearances. For on this he depended on the way forward in following him.

The Church wants to convince us of the great role of faith in human life. It refers today to an event that once took place in the wilderness during the journey of the Jews from Egypt to their promised land (cf. Num. 21:5-9). On the way, they were attacked by poisonous snakes. It was then that the Israelites realized that this was a punishment from God for their grumbling. They begged Moses to beg mercy from God. According to God’s command, Moses made a brazen serpent, placed it on a pole, and declared that whoever looked at the serpent with faith would be saved. And indeed, he was. The brazen serpent mentioned in the Gospel is a picture and symbol of the hanging, dying man on the cross – Christ. His suffering and death cannot be the cause of our doubt or melancholy, but, on the contrary, they are meant to revive our faith and strengthen us in overcoming the difficulties that it is necessary for Christ to endure for us, and so enter into his glory (cf. Lk 26:26). As we reflect on the suffering and death of Christ at this time, we desire to be strengthened in our faith and to believe fully in Christ, and if we are strengthened in the conviction that God did not send His Son into the world that the world should perish, but that he who believes in Him should have eternal life. Thanks be to Jesus Christ that we are saved by his suffering and death, which is not the dramatic end of his life, for it brings new life.

There is only one point of exception, that violence does not attract, does not entice, and that is in the words of Christ: Heaven is gained only by violence. By violence to oneself. By greater self-control, by control, by study, by personal witness.