Good Friday

 

Good Friday is the greatest drama in the history of the world.

For it is the drama of suffering, death, forgiveness and redemption.

Played out on a small stage;

On A tiny hill with only three crosses as props.

Where one Man dies alone for the salvation of the world.

This drama that becomes Real at every Mass.

A drama that most have missed because they are too busy

Or they’d rather watch the game or do something else.

Or because it does not have enough special effects and CGI to interest them.

instead of applauding at the end,

The audience cries out Crucify Him, Crucify Him.

Judas, Peter, Pilate, Caiphas, Annas, Mary, John, Nicodemus, Joseph of Arimethea are a few of the characters.

One betrayed Jesus;

He saw all the miracles and heard all His teaching about Love of enemy and then he turns around betrays Him with a kiss.

Another was given the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven and saw Jesus Transfigured on Mount Tabor but he denied he ever knew Him.

Another was a government official who did not want to get involved in the affairs of religion.

Then there were the religious leaders who were supposed to have known better and who should have spotted the Messiah when He came but were blinded by their own self righteousness.

Then there was a mother;

She bore Him, nursed Him, held Him as a child.

And now has to bear Him once again but this time wipe His wounds and hold His dead body as He comes down from the cross.

And there was a rich man who offered Jesus,

Not a palace,

But a grave in which to rest.

And then there was another man, who came always in the night,

Because he did not want others to see that he believed in Jesus;

But who now has finally stepped out of the shadows to to anoint His dead body.

This drama is never ending;

It is played out everyday in the world.

What part do we play in this Drama of Salvation?

Do we play the role of deniers or betrayers by our actions or our words?

Or Are we just spectators in the audience who don’t really want to get involved?

Do we come only for the Sunday matinee?

Or do we play it out everyday.

are we willing to jump on stage

And get involved and become part of it.

A Part of the drama of salvation.

That includes sacrifice, suffering and death.

The Son of God came into the drama of our life

With all of its messiness, suffering, pain and death.

And only when we are willing to enter into the drama of Christ,

With his sufferings and cross

Will the drama of our lives with all of its messiness, suffering, pain and death,

Make sense and come to an end.