Good Friday 2022
Jesus is dead and risen from the dead. Shouldn’t His resurrection make us forget about the Cross, just as one forgets about illness once one has recovered? The Church, though, looks at the crucified Servant of God. She knows this is for her a source of life and strength.
St Luke, whom we heard last Sunday, notes that “all the multitudes who assembled to see the sight, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts” (Lk 23:48) They saw, and what they saw made them feel guilty. We, too, when we look at Jesus on the Cross, realise that we are sinners and that our sins are in some manner connected with His death on the Cross. We realise that He is innocent, and we are not ; that He is on the Cross, but He should not be. If He is on the Cross, it is probably because of us, and certainly in our stead. Already Isaiah had “seen” Him in that way:
“Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
Today, we see the Cross and we beat our breasts: Jesus, crucified for my sins, have mercy on me, a sinner!
St John’s Passion, which has just been sung, speaks of a witness who has seen:
“He who saw it has borne witness – his testimony is true, and he knows that he tells the truth – that you also may believe. For these things took place that the scripture might be fulfilled, “They shall look on him whom they have pierced”.
When we follow the example of this witness and look on Jesus whom we crucified, we discover in Him the remedy for our sins. For “one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water”. A wellspring was opened for our reconciliation issuing blood for our redemption and water for our purification. In front of the Cross I accuse myself. But the Crucified One does not accuse me. He offers me forgiveness. He grants me access to the source of renovation through the merciful grace of God.
Today, we see the Cross and we give thanks to the Lord for He is good, and His mercy endures for ever! (Ps 118,1) To Him be glory for ever. Amen.