HOMILY FOR GOOD FRIDAY 2015-04-03
1.Isaiah
52:13-53:12
|
2.Hebrews
4:14-16;5:7-9
|
3.John
18:1-19:42
|
Theme “ It is finished”
As this evening we
celebrate the Good Friday, the cross of Christ brings us face to face with him.
We have heard from the passion narrative as we heard it last Sunday that Jesus’
death was humiliating and agonizing. We hear Jesus being executed for the
claims he made to be like God his Father, to forgive sins etc.
Jews expected a King
who could free them from tyranny of foreign domination, thus when they heard about
the advent of Messiah they expected that he could free them from the tyranny of
foreign domination. They expected Jesus to be a political Messiah, but all in
all this was not the mission of Jesus, the mission of Jesus was the cross, not
the political reign. The mission of Jesus was to serve, to give his life for
his brothers and sisters that is why we hear today prophet Isaiah speaking of
the suffering servant; he was talking of Messiah who could free man from the
state of sin. We won’t find greater proof of God’s love to mankind than the
willing sacrifice of His son on the cross. The cross of Christ is the triumph
over death that is why we hear Jesus at his last hour uttering the sentence
that “it is finished.” (Jn 19:30). Jesus uttered the word ‘it is finished’ the word Jesus
uttered in Greek it is just one word “TETELESTAI”,
what does it mean? Years ago scholars dug up, in Holy land, a tax collectors record
and one of them had the word ‘tetelestai’on
top, It is finished, in other words it paid in full. When Jesus said “it is finished”
he meant you don’t owe debt by your sins. It is paid in full. He said ‘I am thirsty
for the cancellation of our debt and his thirsty (give me a drink, he told the woman,
then he said it I who will give you living water). He was thirsty to save us and
he said this thirsty is finished our sins are completely forgiven Jesus in his
last breath is making us new creation as he breathed his spirit to those who
followed him up to his last moment on the cross.
In the cross of Christ
we see his triumph over his enemies- sin, Satan, and death. The cross of Christ
is the safe guard of our faith, the assurance of hope, and the throne of love.
It is also the sign of God’s mercy and the proof of forgiveness. Looking at the
cross of Christ is not enough to be saved, but rather looking at the cross
where Christ sacrificed his love for our salvation, we have to be transformed through
contemplating how Jesus gave himself as the ransom for many. The cross of Christ has to transform us from
deep within, when looking upon the cross we should be transformed into the
reality of Christ, to be transformed into the reality of Christ means we should
have the same spirit of compassion, humility, forgiveness as Jesus forgave his
executioners.
The cross of Christ should
be also extended into our own life experience, it should be re- lived; we need
to contextualize the cross of Christ in our today’s life experience. What we
feel as the cross in our own lives should feel the gape of what missed in the
cross and suffering of Christ. (Cf, Col 1:24). Our daily crosses should not be
avoided, a Christian who is avoiding his/ daily cross is not a follower of
Jesus, he/she is a betrayal of Jesus, a real follower of Jesus should not avoid
his/her daily cross, and instead he/she should embrace the cross as part and
parcel of Christian faith. The cross of Christ is inseparable with suffering.
To accept suffering means to accept the cross. The mystery of suffering is the
highest expression of Christian calling. This is the time we are reminded that
in life we have got bright side and dark side. We need to embrace them all. Our
identities as Christians will be materialized once we accept the will of God to
be done in our own lives. The cross of Christ again should draw our attention
to think the how God is our loving father, merciful, and compassionate.
In making sure that the
saving work of Jesus is active and completed it needs to be welcomed, and
absorbed by each of his faithful followers. The saving spirit of Jesus should
be extended to those most in need (The poor, marginalized, orphans, and the
displaced people).
Contemplating on the
cross of Christ, this brings comfort and strength to those in need, more
especially to our brothers and sisters being tormented by physical,
psychological, social and spiritual miseries. As our Lord Jesus Christ was in
agony of his death until he came into terms with his predicament, this also
echoes every human experience of suffering and loss. Jesus today is united with
us in our every day suffering. The crown of our daily crosses and suffering is
shown at the cross of Jesus. Mature and responsible Christian is the one who
accept to carry his/ her daily cross in following Jesus. Contemplating on the
cross of Christ and re-living our past and present suffering memories reminds
us that in our present suffering we carry the saving power of God.
The mystery of death
should be accepted as the transition and not as the full stop in the rhythm of
human life. Elizabeth Curbra Rosa, a Germany psychologist came up with stages
of human death she had made a research on those who grieve and bereave.
1.
Denial and isolation. Example, to have a
strong reaction against terminal illness.
2.
Anger. A situation where the reality is
not yet accepted, instead God and others are blamed
3.
Bargaining. The situation where a lot of
promises are made to God in case of the recovery from sickness.
4.
Depression. One to regret on how he has
spent little time with his/ her children, friends and family.
5.
Acceptance. Reaching this stage is the
gift not offered to everyone. Death may be sudden or unexpected. This period is
marked with withdrawal or Calm.
As
we celebrate this good Friday we need to bear in mind that following Christ
needs us to be courageous in accepting our daily crosses and the mystery of
suffering. We drink the same cup with Jesus if we accept to carry on our daily
crosses.
0 Response to "HOMILY FOR GOOD FRIDAY 2015-04-03"
Chapisha Maoni