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April 15, 2022It is finished.
Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
On this day of the cross, Christians all over the world are invited to observe and listen to the Passion of Jesus through the eyes of the beloved disciple. Jesus does not suffer the passion because of his fragile human nature but through the violence perpetrated against him by concrete human beings. The crucified Jesus is the image of the suffering caused by the violence of human beings against other human beings. This violence is carried by Jesus upon himself, responding to it not with more violence but with radical love. His attitude and gestures give us clues on how to deal with violence and hatred.
The whole liturgy of Good Friday presents us this year with a meditation on the cost of saying yes to God, opting for the love of God, and willing to go to the last consequences for this wondrous love. The Passion of Jesus Christ according to John describes characters who chose to follow the path of love (Jesus, Mary, Simon, Veronica) and other characters who chose the path of hatred and fear. What is the path we are going to follow, as we face with the boundless love of Christ this Good Friday? Are we willing to take up our crosses and follow the Crucified, the one who guides us to the path of total liberation?
Jesus Christ, our Savior, help us to correspond to your wondrous love by acting in ways that are loving and compassionate to others even when we face hatred and violence.
Behold the wood of the Cross, on which hung the salvation of the world. Come, let us adore.
