The reading of the Passion today and Good Friday always makes me reflect. I like how it’s done in narrative with various readers including all of us as the “crowd”. Each time I hear it, I am drawn to a different character. This year , it was Peter. I find in many ways I’m like him…. Quick-tempered, impulsive, full of that initial zeal, strong willed . He initially listened to the whispers of the evil one , he denied his friend…. The man he proclaimed to be God. In every sense his humanness speaks to me. I love that he was so remorseful he wept over his sin and betrayal. So while the world pulled him , he had the grace enough to keep walking and despite his human weakness he became a great saint… leader of the apostles. Curious how others view the narrative and if anyone of the characters speak to you. Praying we all continue to “convert” during this most holiest time of year.
Miker, I too felt drawn into the Passion Narrative. I imagine myself as one of the women in the crowd. My heart is breaking seeing Jesus being mocked and persecuted in front of me. I weep and am horrified when we say “release Barabbas” instead of Jesus, and “we have no king but ceasar” and when asked what we want to do with him, we say “crucify Him”! But yet, Jesus still looks at all of us with Love.
I watched the documentary on Sr Clare Crockett last night on EWTN.i was so moved by her conversion in the middle of a hedonistic and successful life. She kissed the Cross on Good Friday because "everyone else was doing it" and felt a crushing weight of sorrow for what her sins did to Our Lord. She couldn't stop crying. "He died for me! My sins did this to Him" I had tears listening to her story.
So amazing you shared this about Sr. Clare. Our priest mentioned this exact thing in his homily today. He told us that this Passion is not merely a story from 2000 years ago. He said at beginning of this Gospel we hear Jesus tell disciples to seek the man in city where he will celebrate the Passover dinner. Father told us the man is not named because we are all actually that “man” right now, this week. Jesus is asking each one of us right now to prepare to come into our homes to celebrate the Passover. And where are our homes?they are our hearts and our souls. He seeks to come right there now this week. And the “Passover” is the passing of our sins , our former lives, the separation we have from God. And he said that is what Sr. Clare agreed to on that Good Friday after she kissed the cross. It was a very powerful and moving homily..I’m taking it to my heart as this Holy Week starts. Preparing the room in my heart for Jesus to come and celebrate the Paschal mystery.
