What a Week!

As promised, this has been a week with plenty of drama.  From the conspiracy of the chief priests, elders and high priest who plotted to arrest Jesus and put him to death, to the betrayal by Judas, the Last Supper and the Agony in the Garden, it all leads to today, the crucifixion of Jesus.

Churches throughout the world will be reading from the Gospel of John, Chapter 18, which walks through Jesus’ arrest, trial, carrying of the cross, crucifixion and burial.

There were a few women gathered at the foot of the cross upon which Jesus died, including his own mother, Mary.  We can only imagine how painful that would have been for Mary to watch the events of this week unfold, particularly her son’s death.

One thing that is brought out in this scene at the foot of the cross is the exchange between Jesus, his mother and the “disciple whom he loved,” probably John.

What did Jesus say to them at this critical moment just before he died?  He offered one last gift—a lasting gift—to us.

He looked at Mary and said, “Woman, behold, your son,” and he looked at his beloved disciple and said, “Behold, your mother.”

Scripture tells us that “from that hour the disciple took her into his home.”

You see, Mary is identified by Jesus, as being mother to all of us, because the disciple represents each one of us.

Whenever any of us struggle watching our children suffer, we have in Mary a mother who is truly united to us in that struggle.  We are never alone. We have a mother who understands what it is to be pierced by a sword of love.

On this day, Good Friday, it is the best time to lay all of your troubles, all of your worries, fears and challenges at the foot of that most precious cross.

If you are not usually someone who prays, here is the easiest way to step into the passion of Christ:

Take a crucifix if you have one—or even a picture of one—and sit quietly with it.  Thank Jesus for dying for you, with whatever words come to you. Offer him whatever is on your mind, and open your heart to listen in the stillness.  Let his loving act that brought salvation to the world wash over you and heal you.

On this day, we begin to look forward to what is to come.  The resurrection of Christ, which is right around the corner, brings hope to a world in peril. 

In your quiet reflection on the cross, remember that Jesus willingly accepted the cross, trusted in the Father and submitted to his will.  If we lay all of our crosses at the foot of his in prayer, trust in the Father and submit to his will, we, too, will enjoy a resurrection that is greater than anything we can imagine.

Janet Cassidy
janetcassidy.blogspot.com
janetcassidy.blubrry.net