Is 52:13 – 53:12; Ps 31:2.6, 12-13, 15-16, 17-25; Heb
4:14-16, 5:7-9, John 18:1-19:42
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 saviour, 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 with me. Amen
Satish