Reflection on the Passion of Our Lord"

Readings for Good Friday


There are very few things in human history for which humanity as a whole must take responsibility. For example, humanity as a whole is responsible for world hunger. In some way, each of us plays some part in it. We could not say that of slavery, of colonialism or even of the holocaust. In more recent times, “global warming is one such phenomenon.” Human beings have been on the face of the earth for thousands of years. But it has taken us this long to realize that our actions and our lifestyle have consequences. If there is anything “global warming” is teaching us it is this, that we must take responsibility for our actions. To look at the melting ice in the artic region; to see rising sea levels causing untold hardships to the poor in low lying areas; to see the change in weather patterns across the world; to see the dramatic increase of droughts in Africa and Australia, flash floods in East and South Asia and hurricanes and tornadoes in the Americas is indeed a heart wrenching experience. The most sobering experience for me has been to look at all these natural calamities and realize that in some way, I am responsible for this. Yes, the way we live our personal lives has consequences beyond us. Of all the events for which humanity must take responsibility there is none that parallels the events of Good Friday. As the reading suggest, in some way I am responsible for death of Jesus. The “Song of the Suffering Servant,” which is our first reading (Isaiah 52:13 –53:12) tells us:

Yet it was our infirmities that he bore,
our sufferings that he endured…
But he was pierced for our offences,
crushed for our sins;
upon him was the chastisement that makes us whole,
by his stripes we were healed.
We had all gone astray like sheep,
each following his own way;
but the LORD laid upon him
the guilt of us all.
(Is 53:2-5).

If it is true that our actions have consequences then Jesus’ supreme act of love also has its consequences. Both the first reading and the second reading remind us of the consequences of Jesus’ atoning suffering and death:

If he gives his life as an offering for sin,
he shall see his descendants in a long life,
and the will of the LORD shall be accomplished through him.
(Isaiah 53:10)

Again, the letter to the Hebrews reminds us:

In the days when Christ was in the flesh,
he offered prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears
to the one who was able to save him from death,
and he was heard because of his reverence.
Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered;
and when he was made perfect,
he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.
(Hebrews 5:7-9)

I would like to draw three practical implications from today’s readings:

a) We are here for two reasons: first, to recognize that our sinful actions have consequences – on us and on the people we love; second, to worship God in gratitude for his self-sacrificing love. Today, let us recognize our sinfulness and repent. Let us also offer worship to our God who makes repentance possible. The letter to the Hebrews encourages us to do this in these words:
So let us confidently approach the throne of grace
to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.
(Hebrews 4: 14-16)
Today, as we come forward for the adoration of the cross and to receive Jesus in Holy Communion, let us be aware of the seriousness of sin. Let us also come in true worship and sincere worship.

b) Good Friday should lead us to reflect on the consequences of our actions. As believers of Christ we must ensure that all our actions are redeeming actions. Let not our actions condemn others to pain and suffering. Our sins, together with the actions of the religious authorities, of Pilate, of the soldiers and even some of the disciples caused pain and suffering for Jesus. Our lives must be like that of Mary, Jesus’ mother, and his friends that stood by the cross. Our lives must only bring comfort, joy and salvation. It is not enough that we feel sorry for Jesus’ pain and suffering. Rather, must show our solidarity with those who are suffering in our world and in our midst.

c) One more thing: Since the suffering of Jesus, no suffering goes unnoticed by God and no pain is without its purpose. As the letter to the Hebrews tells us,

“Son though he was,
he learned obedience from what he suffered” (Heb 5:8).

When we suffer, we must realize that God is making our lives salvific like that of his Son, if we are willing, like Jesus, to “learn obedience from what we suffer.” Just like Jesus made his suffering an offering for our sin, let us make every pain, every suffering and opportunity for salvation. We can do so by offering prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears like Jesus, to God on behalf our suffering brothers and sisters.

Let us, then, come to adore the cross with confidence. Let us receive Jesus in Holy Communion and unite ourselves to his suffering and the suffering of our brothers and sisters in the world.

- Fr. Satish Joseph