First Reading: Isaiah 52: 13 – 53: 12; Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 31: 2, 6, 12-13, 15-16, 17, 25; Second Reading: Hebrews 4: 14-16; 5: 7-9; Verse Before the Gospel: Philippians 2: 8-9; Gospel: John 18: 1 – 19: 42

The Good Friday Reflection is by, Br. Michael Odhiambo SJ, Ocer Campion Jesuit College, Uganda.

Prophet Isaiah is giving us a pre-review of the events prior to the occurrences in the passion of Christ. He pokes our consciousness to two events that culminate to the glory of Jesus Christ. He proclaims, “as many were astonished at him, his appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance, and his form beyond that of the sons of men”. This has a close link to the events of the transfiguration in the gospel of Luke (9:28-36). Bringing us to speed to these important events, Jesus hikes the mountain with his disciples to pray and it is during this moment that his face changes and clothes dazzle, and a reassuring voice is heard saying, “this is my beloved, in whom I am pleased with”. A contrary event with a similar footpath is also encountered, when Jesus is taken up and hanged on the cross after mockery and being stripped. His face is filled with blood, oozing from the wounds associated with the crown of thorns, and the clothes that dazzled at some point, being cast lots on.

Focusing on Christ, I imagine the feeling of being at one’s highest point of consolation and the shift that places one at the lowest point of desolation. Looking down at people at the foot of the cross, who once sang Hossana Hossana, changing tune to crucify, crucify him. What a feeling of void! An innocent man persecuted by mob justice. Persecuted because he healed the sick on the Sabbath, because he ate and drank with the untouchables, persecuted for challenging an oppressive status quo and for not meeting people’s expectation, or failing to align with their bias. In all these, Christ endures the pain in silence, without complaining and without seeking to defend himself. As I gaze on Christ on the cross, his attitude wins my heart and I am moved within me to question, is there a greater love than this?

We could look at these occurrences and feel justified to say that Christ was simply obeying the Fathers will. I believe it is more than that. Christ loves the Fathers will and he is committed to it whatever it takes. How many times have we given up on our commitment to Christ? How many times have we by actions and words rejected him? How many times out of fear or intimidation abandoned that which is of greater good and resorted to our selfish intentions and desires? As we make the move to journey with Christ during his passion and finally his death on the cross, we ask for the grace to boldly accompany him and witness the ugliness of our sins that the son of man is carrying with him up to his execution. We pray that in contemplating his love, we may not only be moved to conversion but be drawn to reflect on our response to this love.  

Amen.