HOMILY FOR GOOD FRIDAY OF THE LORD’S PASSION (2)

HOMILY FOR GOOD FRIDAY OF THE LORD’S PASSION

HOMILY THEME: CHRIST’S DEATH, HIS GIFT TO HUMANKIND; OUR LIVES (GOOD), OUR GIFTS TO HIM

BY: Rev. Fr. Jacob Aondover ATSU

HOMILY FOR GOOD FRIDAY OF THE LORD’S PASSION

HOMILY THEME: CHRIST’S DEATH, HIS GIFT TO HUMANKIND; OUR LIVES (GOOD), OUR GIFTS TO HIM

BY: Rev. Fr. Jacob Aondover ATSU

 

HOMILY: READINGS: ISAIAH 52:13-53:12, PSALM 31, HEBREWS 4:14-16;5:7-9, JOHN 18:1-19:42

On this day when heaven’s king endured the most shameful death for sinful man, I’d like us to imagine Jesus’pain, visualize his heart’s desire and live worthy lives, lives that won’t crucify him again. Amen. Today is a day of joyful and hopeful mourning and, we publicly demonstrate our willingness to embrace the Cross, following after its first bearer.

Beloved in the Lord, today we acknowledge thankfully, the height of love that the king of kings showed us when he gave himself as expiation for our guilt. It is the culminating moment of Love. CHRIST’S DEATH ON THE CROSS IS AN EXPRESSION OF LOVE GIVEN TO THE VERY END, BUT WITHOUT END. His is a love that extends to every time and place; an inexhaustible source of salvation for sinners. This is an example for us all to emulate and love all to the end without end.

For some, we may seem foolish, since we celebrate a man who failed to save himself. A restorer of life who raised Lazarus from the dead after four days of his burial; how come he couldn’t save himself. For the unwise and foolish Christians, we celebrate victory depicted in total self-giving, self sacrifice and self abandonment. We celebrate one who Isaiah 52:1 calls a prosperous servant, one who is exalted above all others. We celebrate the author of charity; one who sorrowed not for his sins but for the world’s. We celebrate one who was oppressed, rejected, crushed, acquainted with grief, wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities. We indeed celebrate him who took our sins upon himself to save fallen man (Isaiah 53).

Dear friends, Jesus, all powerful endured the passion patiently even when he could have conquered all his adversaries with ease. He calls us to emulate him. While the Chief Priests, elders and Pharisees abused their religious, traditional and administrative powers, Christ chose to do nothing (even when he could have done everything). Our salvation mattered most to him and dying was too little an obstacle. Also, we notice how evil is schemed and executed against the innocent, how the just could suffer, how evil, darkness, and the devil are set against good, light and God respectively. Judas, the Chief Priests, Herod, the Scribes, Pharisees and elders took the side of evil/satan; while Christ was on the side of good. On whose side do we belong: good, truth, light, right, darkness…or evil, darkness, falsehood, wrong, injustice, etc.

How different are we from those who schemed and executed the death of Christ? Are we not guilty of blackmail, planning and executing evil, plotting other’s downfall etc? Jesus has become our teacher, mentor, guide and father today: his way may mean shame, pain, loss and agony for the moment, yet it translates to pride, happiness, gain and lasting joy tomorrow. God help us all as we strive to follow Jesus’ way to the very end. Amen.

FEED AND EDUCATE ONE

Discover more from Catholic For Life

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading