Sacred Triduum: Good Friday Homily
Today and every Good Friday the whole world stands around the cross. The cross has been planted right in the middle of the world. The death of the Son of God is such a terrible and awesome thing that there is not one thing that is unaffected by it. Even creation responds with earthquakes and an eclipse of the sun. The world shudders at what the human race has done to the Son of God. Many people then and even today barely noticed what happened. Unlike years ago, when we Cathlics and Protestants alike stopped from noon to 3:00pm, the stores and baks were closed so that all could pay attention to what we have done to God, and what God has in turn done for us.
Today many are shopping for Easter goodies and clothes and hanging around the malls killing time. They go home with full bags and hopefully an empty feeling. They have forgotten or possibly never been taught why this day is so important. We have gathered here to commemorate the Passion of Jesus Christ, venerate his cross and receive his Body and Blood becuase we know that God “gets it.” what does he “get?” He gets that suffering and sin, loneliness and despair, sickness and death have absolutely no meaning unless He is a part of it. God gets it. The Father sent his Son to tell us of his great plan of the Kingdom and the elevation of the human race to a life of grace. We did not get it. When Jesus preached mercy, we wanted justice. When Jesus forgave, we hardened our hearts. Wen Jesus came to bring us life, we put him to death on the cross.
Jesus knew that it would take his life to save our lives, not becuase the Father demanded repayment for sin, but rather because his love for the Father and us is so pure and perfect, Jesus would hold nothing back. For Jesus, there are no acceptable losses. All are to be offered the gift of salvation. As God and man, only he could restore what we have lost.
Some mystics have written that it was not nails that held Jesus on the cross, but his love for us. The Blood and water that flow from his pierced side waters our dry and weary souls and give us hope that no matter what we face, we can conquer by uniting ourselves with Him who died on the cross for us. The Blood and water wahs away our sins and make us children of God. The Blood and water, the very life of God himself, is the true fountain from which we draw the strength, courage and hope to suffer out of love for one another and for God.
As the cross is placed before the whole world this Good Friday, many may not know why Christ’s death is so important for them, but we “get it.” We know. As we stand at the foot of the cross with our Blessed Mother Mary. my we help others to know that Jesus Christ died for them. He gave himself on the cross so that we who love him will always have hope and light in a despairing and darkening world. he gave hmself on he cross for us so that we will have in our hearts the truest, purest, and most beautiful love that we can ever receive, the Love of God himself, who is Love.
Lord Jesus Crucified, have mercy on us.
