Scriptures: Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12; Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9; John 18:1 – 19:42
Last night I mentioned that Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday (The Triduum) are filled with “actions” that reflect the “words” of these sacred days, that are central to our faith and lives.
Last night (Holy Thursday), we were given a model to follow by Jesus to “wash the feet of others.” To actively minister to all people, beginning with the person who is with us, who approaches us. Like the women who came and sat next to me at a local restaurant after she heard the server say, “Hi Father Joe.” And so for the next 30 minutes, she shared her story of faith or as she might say of “no faith.” Bottom line – she was kind enough to pay for dinner; I for my part shared that I would send to her a copy the book: Rediscover Jesus, which I said I was sure she would appreciate.
Tonight (Good Friday) our attention is focused on the Cross. You might say that the Cross is the ultimate sign of God’s love for us. With hands outstretched – nailed to the Cross – Jesus, the God-Man reminds us of love, his eternal love.
Children often tell their parents, how much they love them, with arms and hands outstretched they say, “I love you this much!”
And just maybe every Good Friday, every time we look at the Cross we are meant to hear Jesus says with his arms and hands outstretched, “I love you this much.”
I would also suggest that this “Great Love” of Jesus is an eternal reminder to each of us, the Disciples of Jesus, to love others with our arms and hands outstretched that say daily, “I love you this much” in times of doubt or certainty; in times of joy or sorrow; in times of convenience or annoyance.
As disciples of Jesus, may we actively live each day our exuberant expressions that we love God and love others – “This Much!” That makes a real difference.