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Before I Forget…
· News Bulletin: Jerusalem, A.D. 33, Friday after Passover
Jesus, originally from Nazareth, was executed today after a speedy trial following his arrest on Thursday evening. He was found guilty of insurrection. The death penalty was imposed, and he was crucified about noon. He was the son of Mary, also from Nazareth, and Joseph, who is deceased. His mother witnessed his death. He is reported to have many followers from the Galilee area, but none were available for comment.
Unexplained tremors shook Jerusalem at 3 p.m. yesterday afternoon, causing damage to the Temple and accompanied by a blackout period. Authorities are still investigating the unusual occurrences.
--From
The Scent of Jasmine
by Sr. Pat McCarthy, CND
Following the death and burial of Jesus on Friday, Luke describes Saturday with only one verse. "They observed the Sabbath (Saturday) as a day of rest, in accordance with the law." Oh, really! Do you think it was business as usual in Jerusalem that Saturday? Were the events of Friday history? "He's buried and now we must get on with our lives, " the average citizen of Jerusalem might remark. But what was happening in the lives of his followers, his family, and those involved in the trial and crucifixion? What was happening in all of God's creation?
If childbirth is a painful experience for the mother, how much more painful is the death of a child? What wrong had been committed by her son? She remembers the words of the old man, Simeon, when she and Joseph brought the child to be presented to the Lord. "He will cause you deep pain." Now she knows the meaning of Simeon's words. Joseph was dead. John had been beheaded. All she can do today is cry. After the Sabbath she will go to his grave.
What about fisherman, Peter? At that last supper on Thursday evening he told Jesus, "I will lay down my life for you!" He didn't acknowledge knowing Jesus while he stood around the fire. He didn't have the courage to stand by the cross on Friday with Mary and John. Waking up on Saturday and hearing the rooster announce a new day only made him feel worse than he did on Friday night. All he can think about is what a failure he is.
And his friends from Bethany? Lazarus who had been in the tomb four days and brought back to life by Jesus? Martha, always busy about many things, probably felt like doing nothing. And Mary, was she remembering all her conversations with Jesus?
Word was out that Judas, the one who betrayed Jesus, was dead by suicide. Did the rest feel overwhelmed that Saturday-first Jesus on the cross and then one of the "12" hanging himself. What's next? Their own arrest and death?
Even though it looked like the end of everything that Jesus had begun, all the talk of the reign of God, all the good that he went about doing, did they still have faith deep down in their souls that it wasn't finished? Did they still have hope?
What can we learn from those early disciples? For months we prayed that we wouldn't go to war with Iraq, and now we are in a war that is going to last longer than first thought. Where is our Christ, our Prince of Peace? A young daughter is diagnosed with cancer and the doctors say there is nothing they can do to stop the spread of cancer. Where is this Jesus, the Healer? A life partner is living with Alzheimer after a lifetime of hard work. Every day, it is like going to the sepulcher, a resting place. There is no recognition, no smiles, only vacant stares. But we have hope as we read in Romans, "I consider the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed in us…"
A son or daughter, just a child, is dying. Where is Jesus who said "Let the children come to me… for to such belongs the children of God." A young couple wants children and there are miscarriages. Where is the Good Shepherd? In our lives there is that day between Good Friday and Easter/New Life. Our Good Fridays, days of death, disappointment, heartache, sadness, and it's not Easter, yet. We all have those Saturdays. We must live in faith and hope.
Our faith urges us not to give up. It wasn't easy for those first disciples after his death and before Easter. It is not always easy for us. But, we believe that Christ has died, Christ is risen, and Christ will come again!
You are in my prayers this Holy Week!
Fr. Bill
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