Friday, April 10th
Scripture
Is 52: 13 — 53: 12
Ps 31: 2. 6. 12-13. 15-16. 17. 25
Heb 4: 14-16; 5: 7-9
Jn 18: 1 — 19: 42
Reflection
“They shall look upon him whom they have pieced.” Jn. 19:37
A line from A Woman Wrapped in Silence surfaces: “They did not look upon the cross so easily, his first of followers. They had seen men crucified…writhing like a raw scar cut against the sky.”
In Creation and the Cross, Elizabeth Johnson describes the harrowing experience of the first disciples. The cross was a scandalous embarrassment. Somehow they had to immerse themselves in the impenetrable mystery to see God working through the folly of the cross.
We have learned early to articulate in rational terms the reasons for Jesus’ death and we erroneously conclude we understand. In truth we stand before the utter mystery of Deep Incarnation. God intimately entered human reality as a full participant and loving companion. This is the deepest truth of the crucifixion. A truth we can only come to taste through silent and prolonged contemplation.
The Crucified Christ reveals that God grapples with evil in unfathomable love. It is Good Friday because we, too, are called to immerse ourselves in this Vulnerable Love and, so immersed, be impelled to do the same.
Prayer
Soul of Christ, sanctify me;
Body of Christ, save me;
Blood of Christ, inebriate me;
Water from the side of Christ, wash me;
Passion of Christ, strengthen me;
O good Jesus hear me;
Within your wounds hide me;
separated from you, let me never be…
St. Ignatius of Loyola
Personal Challenge
“The cross may be foolishness and a stumbling block, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
Sister Marcella Clancy, CSJ
Detroit, MI
