Easterly Reflections

Easterly Reflections

There’s nothing like Holy Week to offer me a reality check. I admit things haven’t been going how I want. Hence, my selfish thoughts of late have been focused on this “oh, woe is me” attitude. Yes…I admit I’ve been having bad days.

Surely, however, there’re people having far worse days than myself around the world as political unrest continues to plaque Haiti and Parisians deal with the aftermath of the burning of Notre Dame Cathedral, just to name a few.

And yet, moreover, today is Good Friday…someone’s ultimate humanly bad day. The very day when Jesus Christ gave of Himself in the epitome of sacrifice so that we, as sinners, might know eternal rest.

Imagine how Mary felt! Jesus Christ, in his humanity, was loyally surrounded by loved ones, even during his final moments on the cross:

John 19:25-27 (NABRE) 25Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. 26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, Woman, behold, your son. 27 Then he said to the disciple, Behold, your mother. And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.

This is an important scene. Despite His situation, Jesus’ concern for His mother, and in turn the church, is apparent. Thus, John was entrusted with their protection. Jesus acknowledged the value in helping one another, just as He did for all of mankind on that fateful day.

This passage certainly puts things into perspective. Perhaps, if I learned to ask for help, things wouldn’t seem so dramatically desperate. After all, Jesus recognized that He couldn’t act in accordance with His Father’s will alone – His disciples and followers would ultimately work to carry out Jesus’ mission after His crucifixion.

Jesus purposefully introduces people into our lives at specific moments in time. Just maybe, someone has been sent to lighten our burdens. If we don’t accept their help, recognize it, or ask for it, we’re essentially turning our backs on Christ’s giving nature.

Let us be reminded of the ultimate beauty in the fact that the cross and altar survived the flames of the fire at Notre Dame Cathedral. It’s as if Jesus is literally saying: “Amidst of all your despair, I will be there.” Such a powerful message encourages us never to forego hope, and also to lean on one another in communion that is the church in order to persevere.

Thus, Good Friday is a good day as it reminds us that Jesus Christ didn’t give up on us and He continues to send us help and hope along our spiritual journeys on Earth. We live, shrouded though we are in humanity, because of Jesus. He didn’t forsake us then, and Jesus won’t fail us now!

Originally posted on April 21, 2019 @ 11:30 AM

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.