by Fr Raymond Raj
Isaiah 52:13-53:12
Psalm 30:2,6,12-13,15-17,25
Hebrews 4:14-16,5:7-9
John 18:1-19:42
Theme: The Cross – The Symbol of Victory
Brothers and sisters in the blessed Lord, yesterday Jesus was on our knees. Yesterday. Yesterday Jesus bowed down to our knees. Today Jesus is on the Cross, bowed His last.
Brothers and sisters in the Lord, the term “Good Friday“, the very word “Good Friday” carries a deep theological significance. In old English, the word “Good” also means “holy, sacred“. Old English. Therefore, “Good Friday” is a “Holy Day” for all the Christians throughout the world.
Brothers and sisters in the Lord, why, why Jesus have to die? Why God the Father did not spare the life of Jesus? Have you wondered why God the Father did not spare the life of Jesus Christ?
A Catholic priest asked this question to his parishioners,
“Why God the Father did not spare the life of Jesus? Why Jesus has to die?”
And he received three different answers.
The first answer came from a young man by the name John. John said,
“Father, Jesus have to die because Jesus was betrayed by His apostles. That is why, Father, I don’t trust any clergy.” says John to his parish priest.
A good reason not to trust priests.
The second answer came from a middle-aged man by the name Michael. Michael said,
“Father, Jesus have to die because it was written in the Old Testament, the book of Isaiah 53:5, “He was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities.”
The parish priest said, “Not bad, Michael. Your answer is very scriptural, very biblical.”
The third answer came from an old lady by the name Lilian. (Not this Lilian. Lilian, old lady. I said ‘old’). Lilian said,
“Father, in my old age (very important words), now I am fully convinced Jesus have to die because Jesus loved us. Because Jesus loves us”
The parish priest said, “Well done, Lilian. Finally at your old age, you hit the jackpot. Jesus have to die because Jesus loved us.”
Brothers and sisters in the Lord, every year, year in year out, as Christians we participate in Good Friday Service, remembering that this Jesus Christ died on this day 2,000 years ago.
As a Christian, how do you feel about Jesus being nailed to the Cross? How do you feel? Does it make you to cry? Sad? Anguish? Or you don’t feel anything at all? On Good Friday, you don’t feel anything at all. Life goes on as usual. Just another ritual, year after year.
How do you feel, my dear friends?
Brothers and sisters in the Lord, the Cross has two axis, namely vertical and horizontal. The vertical axis represents heaven, the divinity of Christ. The horizontal axis represents earth, the humanity of Christ.
If Jesus, listen to this carefully, if Jesus was only human, His death on the Cross has no meaning. His death could not conquer sin. We all will still remain sinners 2,000 years later. If Jesus was human, His death on the Cross would be meaningless. Jesus could not have conquered sin.
On the other hand, if Jesus was only divine, He will remain as a distant God, inaccessible.
So brothers and sisters, the death of Jesus today is the culmination of divinity and humanity. God the Father willed that His only Son to be nailed on the Cross so that you and I can enjoy, can experience mercy from God.
Brothers and sisters in the Lord, mercy is not a feeling. Mercy is an action. God desired through the very death of Jesus, His only Son, you and I will experience mercy even though none of us here are worthy of His mercy.
Brothers and sisters, on the Cross, when Jesus was hanging on the Cross, Jesus pleaded to His Father, “Father, be merciful to them for they do not know what they are doing.“
So brothers and sisters, if the Son of God is merciful, what is stopping us to be merciful likewise?
If the Son of God on the Cross while suffering can be merciful, as Christians, what is stopping us to be merciful to one another?
And my message to you on this Good Friday is:
Brothers and sisters, only a merciful heart can experience the love of God. Only a merciful heart is able to carry the Cross.
In today’s crucifixion scene, only Mother Mary stayed faithfully with Jesus. You know why? Because Mother Mary is a merciful person. She is not afraid of humiliation. She is not afraid of crosses.
So brothers and sisters in the Lord, let us pray today for the grace as we mourn, that God will touch our hearts and make us pure and merciful servants of Jesus Christ.
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