Isaiah 52:13—53:12
Psalm 30
Hebrews 4:14-16.5:7-9
John 18:1—19:42
THE CELEBRATION OF THE LORD’S PASSION
Today is the second day of the Sacred Triduum. Apart from the stations of the cross that characterizes the day, today’s liturgy is made up of three parts, namely, the liturgy of the Word which helps us understand the true meaning of the suffering and death of Jesus Christ, the veneration of the cross and the liturgy of the Pre-sanctified or Holy Communion. The focus of today’s liturgy is the cross.
In Jewish understanding, the cross was the emblem of shame, curse, punishment, condemnation, torture, suffering and death. The imagery of a cross was something absurd and resentful. It pointed to anger and bitterness, hatred and violence.
But Jesus changed the perspective of the cross. With Jesus the cross has become the emblem of friendship, redemption and glory. It has become the symbol of triumph and not defeat, life and not death, forgiveness and not condemnation. As the Suffering Servant, Jesus was thought of as someone cursed, punished by God. He was despised, rejected, humiliated, a man of sorrow and acquainted with grief, finally crucified. And yet, through his Passion and death, he has become the source of salvation, healing and wholeness for mankind.
Today, let us reflect on the culture of death and violence that characterizes our world today. Innocent people are unjustly condemned, jailed or killed. Innocent lives are lost through abortion and war. Out of our selfish ambitions, we sell others. The love for power has taken over the power of love. We destroy the reputation of others through backbiting and blackmails. We break the hearts of those who love us and trust us; we reject and abandon them at the moments they need us most. And the culture of revenge and unforgiveness is growing even among Christians.
May the Lord forgive us! May he be the consolation and strength to those who are suffering. Amen
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