Good Friday - March 29, 2024

 Isaiah 52:13—53:12     Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9     John 18:1—19:42

Today the readings focus on the redemptive suffering of Christ. What did this mean to the early Church, and what does it mean today? The Gospel according to John was likely finalized about 60 years after the crucifixion. By then, those who knew Jesus and saw his suffering had time to ponder why his Passion was necessary. Couldn’t our salvation have been accomplished in some other way—perhaps by simple divine fiat?

Jesus’ disciples would have been intimately familiar with today’s first reading. It’s not hard to see why the Church still turns to Isaiah. We get goosebumps when hearing this great prophet’s description of what the Suffering Servant would undergo. Seven hundred years later, early Jewish Christians would have seen the Holy Spirit inspiring Isaiah to foretell Jesus’ crucifixion and explain its meaning.

In today’s second reading, Jesus is portrayed not just as the sacrificial victim, but as the high priest who offers himself as the sacrifice. Still, why did salvation have to happen in such a bloody and painful way? I like the answer St. Thomas Aquinas gives in Summa Theologiae: (1) such an awesome gift motivates us to love God; (2) it shows us how to love; (3) it merits a great reward to Christ and his body, the Church; (4) it moves us to holiness; and (5) it gave great dignity to humanity, for Jesus was one of us. The Passion was not strictly necessary, but it was an infinitely loving and wise plan.

This past year has been one of great suffering for me and many of us, and today we might also ask whether our own suffering is necessary. St. John Paul II insisted that “each man, in his suffering, can also become a sharer in the redemptive suffering of Christ” (Salvifici Doloris, No. 19). Today, as we reflect on the suffering and death of our Lord, we can bring to mind our own suffering and join it with his sacrifice for the salvation of the whole world. It is a beautiful and pain-quenching consolation.

Q: What personal suffering can I join with Jesus’ suffering on the cross? Can I bear this pain out of love for my brothers and sisters?

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Thursday after Ash Wednesday

  Deuteronomy 30:15-20     Luke 9:22-25 Every Christmas Day – after the presents are open, breakfast is served, the boys are busy with their gifts– we settle in and watch It’s a Wonderful Life . It’s a tradition I cherish, while readying myself for a cathartic cry and all the feel-good Christmas sentiments this movie lends. I’ve watched this movie several times over the years, and every single time I do, I catch something new, something I’ve never seen before and the great significance it adds. This year was no different, when I noticed a framed quote that was hung underneath the portrait of Pa Bailey, prominently displayed on the office wall of the Building and Loan. In this scene, Geroge Bailey decides to stay at the “old building and loan” at the board’s request after his father passes. For a few seconds this portrait, and more pointedly the framed quote underneath, was zoomed in on, and stated “All you can take with you is that which you’ve given away.” ...
Read more

Saturday of the Fifth Week of Lent - March 23

  Ezekiel 37:21-28         John 11:45-56 Today’s passages spoke to me in many ways. The main way the first reading spoke to me was the sense of unity. Unity has always been a big part of the Old Testament. For instance, the Israelites‘ exodus, Adam and Eve’s bond, and God’s presence with his people are all instances of unity greatly benefiting everyone involved. There are also plenty of instances where a lack of unity is the source of bad things to come. Some of these include Saul and the burnt offering, the Israelites during the Judges period, or even our world right now. One of my favorite sayings is “There is no such thing as evil, only the lack of good.” In my heart I absolutely believe that to be true, and I feel the same is true for today’s reading. God makes everything good, and God is Goodness itself. We all do, or should, desire to have a personal and intimate relationship with God. Evil is the deprivation of good, and since Go...
Read more

Friday of the Third Week of Lent

  Hosea 14:2-10     Mark 12:28-34 In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us the greatest commandment, which is to love God above all things, to love him with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. It may be hard to love someone you don’t know or don’t spend time with. But through the ways we love God, we can love others too. We can love using our strength by maybe doing physical works of service, and on the other hand, loving with your soul could mean taking time out of your day to relax or donate. I feel like the easiest method of loving God is through your heart. If you ask anyone, your heart symbolizes love, and you can do many different types of things to love God with your heart. Going to Church and praying every day are very good ways to love God with all your heart.   It also states in the Gospel that “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” You may think that you are far because of things that distract you in life. For ...
Read more