Good Friday

The Lord's Passion: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/033018.cfm

John 18: 1 - 19:42

Two thousand years after the event we still remember what, if not for the resurrection, would have been merely the memory of a well intentioned but obscure Jewish rabbi from a tiny village in northern Israel who claimed to be sent from God like the prophets of ancient biblical times with claims of healings and crowds who hoped in him but found themselves sadly duped by this man who was either a pathological liar or disillusioned himself. While his life was indeed intriguing, his death proved that he was dangerous.  He gathered many around him, even intimate followers, who left all they had behind and stayed with him for a time hoping that he would be the one to set them free from Roman oppression or maybe just maybe he really was God's Son - whatever that meant was not clear to them.  But, in the end it all fell apart.  He was arrested, tortured, hung like a criminal on a cross in the most humiliating form of capital punishment ruthless Roman authority could develop.  A warning to others who may be thinking along the same lines. 

But, three days after his death, astounding new truth became clear - He was alive!  Return from the dead in a form never known before.  Not a phantom, or a trick, but a reality we now claim is the risen Christ and it all comes together; it all makes sense.  To his frightened and confused disciples he appeared numerous times and assured them it all now makes sense and they must tell the world about this for it is Good News to be shared.

This Good Friday is familiar to all who claim to be his followers - Christians of many traditions who deeply long to be united but this day we all focus our attention on the cross understanding that this sign is not failure but victory.  In that sign we are saved and we see Christ on the cross and the horrendous suffering he gave himself to endure as an extension of God's eternal mercy to all who sin. 

Last night we remembered his last supper the night before today's events took place.  The bread and wine became and remain his body and blood shed and risen for us.  He becomes the food we eat and our strength, our living encounter with him, for this journey through life. This Eucharist is our connection with the living God in Christ Jesus the Lord. 

The risen Lord forever shows the marks of his passion on his risen body.  No pain but eternal reassurance to all who seek to follow his Way. 

Let this day be one of reflection as we abstain from pleasure and food and offer some sacrifice of our time and prayer to reflect more deeply with gratitude for Christ's abundant mercy.  How close do you stand before the cross and how willing am I to conform to him? 

Peace.

O God, who by the Passion of Christ your Son, our Lord,

abolished the death inherited from ancient sin

by every succeeding generation, 

grant that just as, being conformed to him, 

we have borne by the law of nature

the image of the man of earth, 

so by the sanctification of grace

we may ear the image of the Man of heaven. 

Through Christ our Lord. 

Amen