Here is the reflection I shared today, Good Friday, with those who gathered to commemorate the Lord's Passion.
Life changing events have a way of impressing themselves upon our memory: a husband and wife will always remember the day they exchanged their vows; a priest or a deacon will always remember the day he was ordained; a consecrated person will always remember the day she or he took vows; even children may remember the day they first received the gift of the Eucharist, a teenager will always remember the day he or she first sat behind the wheel of a car.
All these moments in life, and others like them, are indeed memorable, but the moment that we commemorate today is even more important, for on this day, our God gave his life for us. One of the names the people gave to Jesus was King of the Jews. During his trial, Pilate asked Jesus plainly: Are you the king of the Jews? He had no doubt heard this accusation, and perhaps wanted to confirm it. Jesus is indeed our king, and today we remember and celebrate the anniversary of his day of enthronement.
All the grandeur of a king is mentioned in the readings we have heard today, but not quite in the way we may have expected. Every king needs a team of consulters who he can trust; Jesus disciples all fled after he was arrested, and those who didn’t denied even knowing him. A king wears regal robes and royal insignia; Jesus’ body was marked by a whip and he was crowned with thorns. The purple robe they draped over him was only placed there as a joke, so that they could mock him. Great leaders are usually good orators; Jesus said nothing, but his silence was more eloquent than any spoken word. Kings preside while sitting on thrones; Jesus presides from the throne of his cross.
Good leaders are beloved leaders. Good leaders know how the hearts of the people they lead. Good leaders are close to those who look to them for guidance. The leader we revere bore our infirmities and carried our troubles. Out of love for us, he gave his life for us. Out of love for us, he offered up prayers and supplications … to the one who was able to save him … and his prayer was heard. God always hears the prayers of the suffering: the impoverished, the hungry, the abused, and he comes to our help.
Out of love, Jesus gave everything for us. The clothes had been taken off his back, and still he looked tenderly toward his mother; he saw his disciple there too: Woman, here is your son; here is your mother. The blood that dripped from his broken body, he offers even now for his disciples each time we break bread and share the cup of salvation. Even his dying words: I thirst speak to our hearts, for he continues today to thirst especially for our hearts.
It is finished. Jesus bowed his head and gave his spirit into the waiting arms of the Father. How often does Christ ask us to give just a fraction of ourselves out of love for him, out of love for our brothers and sisters? Through the eyes of faith, we see this king of ours in the faces of all those who call out to us for help. The question is: are we willing to do as he did, even to the point of giving our lives for them?
Behold, the king!
Life changing events have a way of impressing themselves upon our memory: a husband and wife will always remember the day they exchanged their vows; a priest or a deacon will always remember the day he was ordained; a consecrated person will always remember the day she or he took vows; even children may remember the day they first received the gift of the Eucharist, a teenager will always remember the day he or she first sat behind the wheel of a car.
All these moments in life, and others like them, are indeed memorable, but the moment that we commemorate today is even more important, for on this day, our God gave his life for us. One of the names the people gave to Jesus was King of the Jews. During his trial, Pilate asked Jesus plainly: Are you the king of the Jews? He had no doubt heard this accusation, and perhaps wanted to confirm it. Jesus is indeed our king, and today we remember and celebrate the anniversary of his day of enthronement.
All the grandeur of a king is mentioned in the readings we have heard today, but not quite in the way we may have expected. Every king needs a team of consulters who he can trust; Jesus disciples all fled after he was arrested, and those who didn’t denied even knowing him. A king wears regal robes and royal insignia; Jesus’ body was marked by a whip and he was crowned with thorns. The purple robe they draped over him was only placed there as a joke, so that they could mock him. Great leaders are usually good orators; Jesus said nothing, but his silence was more eloquent than any spoken word. Kings preside while sitting on thrones; Jesus presides from the throne of his cross.
Good leaders are beloved leaders. Good leaders know how the hearts of the people they lead. Good leaders are close to those who look to them for guidance. The leader we revere bore our infirmities and carried our troubles. Out of love for us, he gave his life for us. Out of love for us, he offered up prayers and supplications … to the one who was able to save him … and his prayer was heard. God always hears the prayers of the suffering: the impoverished, the hungry, the abused, and he comes to our help.
Out of love, Jesus gave everything for us. The clothes had been taken off his back, and still he looked tenderly toward his mother; he saw his disciple there too: Woman, here is your son; here is your mother. The blood that dripped from his broken body, he offers even now for his disciples each time we break bread and share the cup of salvation. Even his dying words: I thirst speak to our hearts, for he continues today to thirst especially for our hearts.
It is finished. Jesus bowed his head and gave his spirit into the waiting arms of the Father. How often does Christ ask us to give just a fraction of ourselves out of love for him, out of love for our brothers and sisters? Through the eyes of faith, we see this king of ours in the faces of all those who call out to us for help. The question is: are we willing to do as he did, even to the point of giving our lives for them?
No comments:
Post a Comment