So what is the Passion of Christ?

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

Today is Good Friday and we hear the Passion of Christ according to John (Jn 18:1 – 19:42). So what is the Passion of Christ? The Passion of Christ is the story of the last 12 hours of Jesus’ life; the time from his arrest to the time of his crucifixion. This is a sorrowful day, a day Jesus suffered on the Way of the Cross for our sins. Today, Jesus is put on trial for our sins, for our denials and betrayals. He is beaten and scourged for our sins and then Jesus carries the burden of all men’s sins upon his shoulders as he marches through Jerusalem with his cross. Jesus “carrying the cross himself, went out to what is called the Place of the Skull.” Today’s trial ends at the cross on top of Mt. Calvary, the Place of the Skull. Jesus is then nailed to the cross in total annihilation and total humiliation. He is completely abandoned. Only his mother, three women and the disciple he loved we present. Even on the cross, in all his pain and suffering, he finds the power to forgive those who crucified him. In his last words, he says, “It is finished.” The Gospels say that the skies became black. The darkness that filled the sky was our sins released from this earthly place into heaven. At that moment, the scriptures were fulfilled. “Christ offered himself without blemish to God and he put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.” (Hebrews 9:24-26)

Jesus opened his arms for us on the cross to invite us to the cross, not as a bystander, but as a participant. We are called to the cross. Our journey through Lent has been long and we probably stumbled along the way. Its okay, we get up and take our cross again. Jesus stumbled along the way to Mt. Calvary under the great burden of our sins. He got back up and so must we. At the cross, Jesus defeats our enemies – sin, Satan and death. Jesus and the crucifixion are described as the “doorway” to heaven. Without the sacrifice of the unblemished Lamb of God, mankind would not be freed from their sins. We would never get to the resurrection.

The message to today is one of Glory for now we know we can call on the cross for our salvation. Jesus still calls us today to join him at the cross. Through Jesus’ suffering, our sins can be forgiven; through Jesus’ trials and abandonment, we can find the light that purifies our soul; and through Jesus’ death, we will find new life.

A Simple Prayer “Lord, I put everything at the foot of the cross – my sickness and pain, my sins, my fears and worries. Help me to look no longer at them but only at your saving love for me.” Today is a glorious day for Christ has died for our sins.

Yours in Christ Michael Marcon