Good Friday

Evil can never be conquered by evil; but only by goodness, violence by non-violence; and hatred by  love for the enemy. That is the message of  Good Friday.
French Revolution broke out  with the noble aim of   freedom to all and establishing  universal brotherhood. But the   means used  was annihilating the opponents. It caused  untold  misery, blood shed, violence and hatred.  Russian revolution broke out to  wipe out the evils existed in the Tsar empire, again the means  used was one that of violence. And violence gave  rise to more violence.

But centuries ago Jesus has  shown that  the only means to overcome evil is  goodness. Today's first reading  from  Isaiah describes Jesus' passion. It  highlights  the suffering and that it was for our sins Jesus suffered.

The crowds were appalled on  seeing him
So disfigured did he look
That he seemed no longer human….

When Jesus  came out after long hours of trial, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said, "Here is the man".

Here is the man!  A great proclamation made by Pilate.  It matches with the  prophecy of Isaiah centuries ago. The  prophecy of Isaiah about the son of man who would deliver the world, who would lead the estranged  humanity  back to God the father; who would open the  shut doors  of paradise to the children of Adam,  and who would heal the  wounds created by  sin, is being realized in the  person of Jesus. And the words of Pilate points to this man, on whom the Jews placed their  hope as the savior, on whom the common people look on as their liberator, on  whom the  weak look on as their strength, on whom the sick looked on as their  healing power.

He stands  in front of them with a  crown of thorns, clad in a  scarlet robe.

The crown represented  honour and power. Kings and emperors appeared in public wearing the crown.  The crown of thorn placed on the  head of Jesus had  great  symbolic meaning. The power and glory Jesus' offers to his followers have to be obtained  only  by accepting  sufferings. The disciples have  imbibed the spirit of Jesus Message. So they were ready to  accept  anything in their life to  bear  testimony to their master.

How do we react  to the  suffering of Jesus? We are moved to sorrow for our sins. But what Jesus wants of us is to sustain the feeling of Good Friday. The sympathy we experience today, the regret that  comes  to us today, the resolutions that we make today should be  adhered to. Then  we will be  invited to share  his glory, as he promised the good thief on his side, "You will be with me in paradise today." Amen

Satish