First Reading - Isaiah 52:13-53:12
Second Reading - Hebrews 4:14-16,5:7-9
Gospel - John 18:1-19:42
The first reading presents to us the fourth servant song. This song of the servant takes up the theme of suffering. This song can be duly divided into three parts; the first part includes the tragedy of persecutions and sufferings, that are inflicted on the servant, do not swerve him rather he endures everything patiently which scandalizes the spectators. The reality of the suffering of the servant lies in his purpose to offer it as an intercession or expiation of sins for the people. The second part includes the justification of the action by the people. God utters a prophecy, the kings and the people then reply, describing the sufferings of the servant and possibly excusing themselves for not having understood their meaning. Thirdly, God vindicates the servant for the sufferings he endures.
The 'servant' in the song is mysterious figure as it's difficult to identify him. The 'servant' could be the suffering Israel as a nation, or Isaiah himself, or any pius prophet, or any pius Jew. However, Jesus identifies himself with this servant as the pathway to salvation for the humanity. This figure of the suffering servant is copied by Jesus in his sufferings word-to-word; this is to say, it was a prophecy which was enacted by Jesus through his sufferings.
The second reading highlights that Jesus suffered as a human person. He was truly human as much as he was divine. St. Paul says, he divested himself of his divinity to become one like us. He indeed suffered the scourging for 39 times and suffered the pain of it as anyone can feel the pain of scourging. This letter also recommends that Jesus, as identifying himself in our humanity, is now able to understand us and sympathize with us, therefore, we shouldn't be hesitant to approach him.
The gospel throws light on the suffering of Jesus for the sins of humanity, past, present, and future. The gospel also highlights that Jesus has given up his life and offered the gift of salvation to the humanity by his passion, death, and suffering, so that we all can appropriate the gift of salvation by believing in him and renouncing our sinful lives.
Dear friends, the suffering of Jesus is a fact and that can't be denied nor overlooked. The suffering of Jesus was a terrifying event in the history but that terrifying event reminds us of our sins; our horrible sinful condition of life that is lived everyday causing a great breach in our relationship with God, one another, and oneself. This Good Friday will be really good, if we are able to bridge this great breach that is created between God and oneself, Family members or friends and oneself due to our sins. Our sins cruxify him again and again. Our broken relationship with God, one another and oneself causes intensification of Christ's suffering. Let's resolve today to amend the brokenness of our relationship and build a loving relationship with God, one another, and oneself.
Let's learn from Jesus to alleviate the sufferings of people. He need not suffer our fate but he accepted it for us so that we may be saved. He was innocent and sinless as all the readings of today tell us, yet he accepted sufferings for us as for an expiation of our sins. Can we also help others overcome their sufferings, hardships, and problems? Certainly, it demands a sacrifice from us like Jesus. Let's imitate Jesus by alleviating the sufferings of one another rather than worsening them.
On Good Friday we should ask the question: why should we carry our crosses? First, cross-bearing is a condition for Christian discipleship. Jesus said: “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” Second, it is by carrying our crosses that we make reparation for our sins and for the sins of others related to us as members (actual or still potential), of the Mystical Body of Christ. That is why St. Paul said that he was suffering in his body what is “lacking” (His Mystical body’s share, so to speak), in Christ’s suffering. Third, it is by carrying our crosses that we become imitators of Christ in his suffering for us. St. Paul explains it thus: “I have been crucified with Christ; yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me.” (Gal 2: 19-20).
Let's pray that we may be able to change our lives for the sake of the sufferings of Jesus and walk the path of holiness.
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