Reflection
Christian belief is that our reality was created with an intention, that things were designed to be “good”. What we term sin is therefore a corruption, a perversion of that pure intention. This tendency to twist things that are meant to be “good” results in some of our cruelest realizations. Something like laughter, intended as a way for friends to share joy and humor with one another can be weaponized, used to mock and belittle. Jesus is subjected to the soldier’s laughter as they craft a dark and painful subversion of kingly vesture: the purple cloak, the crown of thorns. This gets to the heart of the Good Friday message, which symbolizes a painful corruption of the purpose of creation. The creator Himself is destroyed by the very people to which He granted life.
The death of Jesus on the cross is firmly in this paradoxical tradition. As goodness can become twisted, so out of death and pain comes life. We do not have a high priest unable to sympathize with our human condition, indeed, this also was part of the grand design. In becoming part of our world, and in sharing every experience, even unto death, the creator forges the world anew. Through the affliction of Christ, we see the light and fullness of days being granted to us all. Without the anguish of the Cross, we could not know the glorious paradox that is the Resurrection.
Prayer
Ever-living God, through the Death and Resurrection of Your Christ, You restore us to life. Keep within us the hope of the Resurrection so that pardon may come, peace may be given, and faith increased. Through Christ, our Lord.
Fr. Michael R. Carter, S.S.E. ’12, Professor of Religious Studies
Scripture
Psalm 31:2, 6, 12-13, 15-17, 25
Second Reading: Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9
Gospel: John 18:1—19:42
Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website
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