Sermon Cloud

People die every day … accidentally, because of war, as a result of famine, through any number of diseases.  Their pictures are published in local papers, the names of their family members are listed, and the details about their funeral arrangements are outlined.  Depending on how well we know the person or their family, we may visit with them in the Funeral Home or we may attend a Funeral Mass, or we may simply glance at the death notice in the paper and then turn the page.

Even in biblical times, people died every day.  In the time of Jesus, it was not unheard of that crucifixions would take place, always outside the city walls, and usually reserved as a punishment for bandits, robbers and others who had been convicted of notorious crimes.  The place of execution was often not far from the main roads leading to the city, so many passers by would see the spectacle as the crucified ones would often shout out various obscenities, condemning those who had inflicted such pain and suffering upon them.

Crucifixion was a slow and painful death sentence.  Hung on a cross, arms pinned in a horizontal or V-shape, the body hung with only the legs to support its weight.  In addition to the excruciating pain of nails having been driven into flesh, the condemned person would most often die of asphyxiation because it was increasingly more difficult to breathe as the lungs and airways were constricted and the muscles of the legs and arms grew tired.

The world of today would probably have forgotten about this form of torture except that it lives on because of Jesus of Nazareth, the one we call Christ, the Son of God who came to show us a new way to live.  The scriptures we have read today tell us of all the gruesome details, but there is one major difference between this account and any other that might have taken place.

From the time of his arrest, throughout the hours of his trials and condemnation, Jesus never uttered one malicious word.  He accepted his punishment, not because he deserved it, but because there was a greater cause.  Those who knew him were gathered around, not unlike those who are present as one of our loved ones spends the final hours of suffering before they die, and his friends also stood by, uncomprehendingly.

Despite his suffering, Jesus remained serene.  This was the ultimate act of love for which he had prepared his disciples.  The Eucharist he had entrusted to them on Holy Thursday was and is a memorial of his passion and death, but they would not understand this until much later.

Jesus continued to teach the truths of compassion and love that he had preached about, even as he was condemned, even as he suffered.  With a single glance he caused Peter to weep because he knew that human beings are weak.  He knew that Peter would crack under pressure, but he also knew that this weakness would be Peter’s greatest strength, because Peter’s self-centredness would ultimately be transformed into compassion.

Jesus also caused others to stop and think.  Caiaphas and Pilate would also have the chance to look into his eyes that day.  What did they see there?  A look of love and compassion that perhaps caused them too to wonder whether they were truly worthy to pass judgement upon the Judge?

The crowds that were gathered were another story.  Peer pressure can do terrible things to the resolve of an individual.  Did they all intend to condemn him that day?  Were there perhaps a few who could not make their voices heard over the din of the mob?  Do we sometimes also fall victim to the pressure of those around us who would entice us to deny the intimate love we have experienced in our relationship with Jesus?

Stripped of his garments and hanging on the cross, he forgave the repentant thief.  This was unheard of, that a crucified person would speak words of tenderness: ‘Today, you will be with me in paradise; Woman, behold your son’.

 We commemorate Jesus’ death today because his life, his death makes such a difference in our lives.  Jesus loved so deeply that he was willing to give his life for us.  As we receive his gift of divine food today, and then return to the pilgrimage of our lives, will this sacrifice cause us too to wonder about our own lives and whether we are living up to the expectations of love, forgiveness and compassion that he modeled for us?