Homily, Good Friday 2022

Good Friday Reading: bible.usccb.org

Some stories ring too familiar to us- a Christian gunman opens fire on a synagogue; a Christian colleague mocks her Muslim coworker for wearing a hijab. In recent years—and throughout history—the world has witnessed hateful and harmful sins committed in the name of Christianity. People claiming to answer Christ's call instead embrace the power of Pilate and the chief priests. Chants of "Crucify him!" and "Crucify her!' stain our sacred story. In fact, there are some Christians who use the very gospel passage proclaimed today to vilify Judaism and other religions! 

On this Good Friday, we would do well to remember that God calls all of us toward the cross armed not with hammers and nails but with courage. God does not call us to crucify others. Our Savior preached messages of peace and justice along his journey to Jerusalem. He knew the brokenness of humanity. He saw the suffering of creation. Jesus carried all our pains and plights with him to the cross to free us from the powers of darkness, not to help us fuel them.

Today is the day we should rid ourselves of the words and actions that crucify others. Today is the day to die to darkness so that tomorrow we may rise with Christ in glory. God calls all of us toward the cross with courage. Like many matters of faith, this summons is easier said than done. Just look at Peter. The man who dropped everything to follow Jesus—the man our very church is built upon—distanced himself during Jesus' final days. Peter knew of the suffering to come more than most. Jesus spoke of his impending death many times as they traveled from town to town. Still, when the hour came, Peter denied his discipleship three times. If we are put in such a spot, might we do the same? 

The virtue of courage is like any muscle. It can only be strengthened through practice. Let’s look at Mary, the mother of Jesus; Mary, the wife of Clopas; and Mary of Magdala. John's gospel places these three women at the foot of the cross, close enough to hear the dying Jesus utter one of his last commands: "Woman, behold your son! The women who accompanied Jesus throughout his ministry drew closer during Jesus' final days. They heard Jesus speak of his impending death many times along the road. They knew of the suffering that would befall their beloved friend. When the hour came, the three women stood courageously by Christ's side. If put in such a spot, might we do the same? 

Like these brave women, we are called to stay in the shadow of the cross at its darkest moments. We are called to summon the courage of the three Marys and bear witness to the holy cycle of life, death, and resurrection. On this sacred celebration of Good Friday, let us lament the times we approached the cross with hammers and nails—as individuals and as the Christian community and let us commit to drawing ever closer to the cross with courage.

Commemorating the death of Christ, we are, in truth, celebrating his awesome love for us. The cross brings to memory the sacrificial love of the one who hangs there, a clear proof of his love that he laid down his life for us and challenges us to do the same for our brothers and sisters. The great question for us today is: Are we going to empty ourselves in response to his emptiness?

Public domain art: The Crucifixion by Fra Angelico, MET museum