Friday of the
Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time
(Joel 1:13-15.2:1-2; Luke 11:15-26)
The “Crucifixion” by the Spanish painter Velazquez merits meditation.
It shows an almost nude Christ with arms outstretched. He does not appear to be hanging so much as
presiding in a supreme act of sacrifice. His long hair drapes half his face as
if the painter wants to show that Christ’s humanity hides his divinity. But his divinity shines through in the brilliance
of Christ’s skin which contrasts with the totally dark background. The painting expresses what the prophet Joel
in the first reading warns Judah to prepare for. This is “the day of the Lord.”
Velazquez may have taken his theme from any of the four gospels.
Matthew, Mark, and Luke have the sky darken as Jesus dies on Calvary. This accords with the darkness and gloom that
Joel foresees. The first three evangelists
indicate – as John does in a unique way – that the cross presents the moment of
judgment for the world. Those who
recognize Jesus as the Son of God by the sheer graciousness of his death are
saved. Those who cannot distinguish
Jesus’ goodness from the darkness of the world are doomed.
Of course, recognition here implies willingness to conform
to his ways. Jesus is, after all, our teacher, our elder brother, and our
hope. Not following him would be like
not following the instructions of the pilot of a rescue ship when we are drowning
in the sea.
