GOOD FRIDAY -- 2007

Isaiah 52:13-53:12;

Hebrews 4:14-16 + 5:7-9;

John 18:-19:42

“ When Jesus had received the wine, he said: ‘It is finished.' Then he bowed his head and handed over his spirit.”

Yesterday we experienced in the liturgy two ways in which Jesus gives himself to us – washing our feet and giving us the Eucharist. But it is a long-standing custom within the Christian community to do all things in threes. Perhaps in honor of the Trinity. Whatever.

Today we have the third. Today Jesus gives himself to us in death. But Jesus' death is unlike any other death. Jesus' death is not an end, but a beginning. Jesus is not conquered in death, but conquers.

In a few minutes, as a direct response to the readings we have just heard, we will sing out:

Behold the Cross from which springs all life!

Jesus' death gives life, just like the death of a seed gives life a hundredfold. In the Christian dispensation, all life springs from the death of Jesus on the cross. “And I, if I be lifted up, will draw all things to myself.”

The paradox of the Christian dispensation is that Jesus is glorified precisely in his being lifted up on the cross. Precisely in his death. But not his death as an ending – but as a beginning. Death and resurrection for St John is one single act. It is only we who divide it up into time periods. It is extremely important that we see it as a whole – even while we concentrate on one aspect or the other.

Another way to put it:

Do we not often think of Jesus' resurrection as a reward for his faithful submission in accepting death on the cross? But that is not the theological truth of the mystery we are celebrating. Jesus' death IS his glorification. Why? How? Because in it he has given himself entirely to us. To the end, to the utmost, till there is nothing more left. And that is glory. That is the heart of reality. From that gift springs all life. This active gift of Jesus lives on for all eternity. Human nature at the Father's throne is the lamb once slain, the marks of slaughter still on him. He constantly presents before the Father and before the whole assembly of angels and saints the wounds he suffered on Calvary. Just as he showed the apostles the marks on his hands and his side after the resurrection, so he lives forever with these same marks. As we read in the Book of Revelation:

“Worthy is the lamb that was slain to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.” “For you were slain and by your blood you have ransomed for God saints from every tribe and language and people and nation; you have made them to be a kingdom and priests serving our God.”

Behold the Cross from which springs all life!

This is the reason we are barefoot today. Not primarily as a sign of penitence, but as a sign that we are standing on holy ground, as a sign that we are participating in the mystery that is at the heart of reality, at the heart of each one of our individual lives. The mystery of life through death, the mystery of losing to gain, the mystery that there is no greater love than to give our life for others.

Behold the Cross from which springs all life!

And if this is so, than just like yesterday, what is asked of us is to go and do likewise. “For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.”

As we will soon approach to venerate the Cross, as we will soon approach to receive the Body broken for us, let us in turn give our lives for one another – for by being united to Jesus in his sacrifice, we also are the Body of Christ to be given for others.

Amen.