Today’s readings: Click on today’s date at http://www.usccb.org/bible/
Blood and water
Friday, April 3, 2015
Holy Friday of the Triduum
Isaiah 52:13, Isaiah 53:5, John19:32-34
My servant shall prosper, he shall be raised high and greatly exalted. Many are amazed at him … (but) he was pierced for our iniquities, crushed for our transgressions, the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed … The soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and then of the other one who was crucified with Jesus. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs, but one soldier thrust his lance into his side, and immediately blood and water flowed out.
Jesus called out, “It is finished!” and died. And so it is done. The death of the most amazing man who ever lived is upon us. Who are we to call it GOOD Friday?
Death calls us too. The siren song of nobody to nothing, all the hard work done, now it’s time to rest, come and lay in my arms. But this satanic seduction lost its traction with Jesus, and then with the rest of us. We die, but never again to become nothing. We die to live.
As in Carmen’s song (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mf5Ok-x25gM), the “champion” is not Satan but Jesus. Father God, the referee, calls the 10 count as Jesus falls to the mat. But the count is backward, to the horror of the devil. It’s a count toward blast-off, and as the Father counts down to 3-2-1, the chorus swells, “He has won! He is risen! He is Lord!”
His blood flowed today, and water with it out of Jesus’ body to fall upon the ground. No doubt now, Jesus is dead. For a little while. Wonder of wonders – it’s Friday, but Sunday’s coming.
In our own lives, though, in our own time of paschal mystery, we need to take our time with this. There’s no hurry. Death is dead, and God is here to stay. But this day is made for all the grieving we can do, all the brokenness we can find, as we wait and watch while Jesus dies, and is taken off the cross.
In you O Lord, we take refuge. You do not let us be put to shame; your justice rescues us. Into your hands we commend our spirit, for you are the one who redeems us, you are the one who remembers us and holds our destiny in your hands. Save us in your kindness, Lord.
http://www.christiancounselingservice.com/archived_devotions.php?article_id=1379
