He has endured the cross

Our gospel today is long; it is the first of two readings of the passion and death of Jesus; we hear many sayings and notice events that are familiar to us and to all Christians. Maybe during this week we could take time to reread the gospel account, and watch what happens, going a bit behind the externals:-  

We see Jesus being mocked, tortured, hurt, ridiculed, beaten and killed.  We notice his fear in the garden of his agony, and also his willingness to go to the end for what he believes in and sees as his mission in life.  We see him being treated unjustly, and a notorious thief being chosen over him for release.  We see him on the cross, when he seems to feel neglected by his Father.  

We notice also the help he received – the silent sympathy and love of his mother, Simon’s help carrying the cross, the sympathy of the ‘daughters of Jerusalem’, and even the faith of the Roman who said he was a good man, a ‘son of God’. We wonder about how he felt with the mockery and with the help he received.

We can identify with much of his suffering, in our own lives and the lives of people close to us. He is the one who “has endured the cross and despised its shame” (Hebrews).

We can often take comfort and consolation from the fact that he identifies with the suffering of the human race, and that his resurrection is the basis of our faith, hope and love.

Look at or imagine a crucifix, and pray as you feel drawn.

Lord, by your cross and resurrection,

you have set us free;

you are the Saviour of the world.

Donal Neary SJ

A Human Heart

When people read this Gospel story they say they see that Jesus is a real human being, son of God and man of the earth, weeping over a friend.  His was a human heart. He liked friends and he found a home and a safe place with them, over the hill and away from the mob.  We might picture him there – the talk, the chat, the prayers, the love; meals with other friends who dropped in, times of prayer and silence.

The one who can share a laugh, eat a scone, have a drink or a cuppa. The one who’d give a wink at the sign of peace! Not always so serious, even about religion. There’s no such thing as a sad saint!  He is a good friend.   

When life is ending we will give thanks for friends, and regret the way we have drifted or hurt each other. Real friendship is when another’s thoughts and life become at least as or more important than our own.

So the resurrection and the life is not just for after death. It is for now. We raise each other up in friendship and in love. In that is the grace of the Lord, himself a friend, for when we love, God lives in us.

Picture your friends and those you love

and give thanks to God for each of them.

Lord, help me to keep love and friendship alive in my life.

Donal Neary SJ