Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion
(Isaiah
52:13-53:12; Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9; John 18:1-19:42)
Only the
Gospel of John pictures Jesus’ beloved disciple and his mother at the cross. Jesus tells his mother that the disciple is
her son. He likewise tells his disciple
that Mary is his mother. This action
assures that Jesus’ (presumably) widowed mother will be cared for. More than that, by the dual presentation Jesus
makes the church – the community of his disciples -- into a family. At the same time he turns his family into a
church.
The Church
is a family in the sense that its members deeply love and support one
another. For this reason, “going to mass
on television” – as we did during the height of the pandemic -- could never be
the norm. By sharing of faith and cooperating
on mutual concerns, church relations become more supportive than blood relatives.
Once a
professor asked his students how many of them said grace before family meals. He was surprised to hear that few of the
students ate regularly with their families.
When families become church, they do more than pray together at
meals. They share deeply and often about
how the Lord affects their lives. They
also support one another in living the values Jesus taught.
In the
passion Pilate asks Jesus, “What is truth?”
This is ironic because he is looking truth in the face. Jesus -- the way, the truth, and the life –
shows us how we are to sacrifice ourselves for the good of others. For our families we forsake independence so
that children, parents and siblings may become more caring and responsible. For our church community we give support and
encouragement so that it might reflect Christ’s love for the world.
