Gospel: John 18:1—19:42*
(…) Bearing his cross, Jesus went out of the city to what is called the Place of the Skull, in Hebrew, Golgotha. There he was crucified,
and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus in the middle. Pilate had a notice written and fastened to the cross, which
read: Jesus the Nazarene, the King of the Jews. (…) The chief priests said to Pilate, “Do not write ‘The King of the Jews’; but, ‘This man
claimed to be King of the Jews.’” Pilate answered them, “What I have written, I have written.” When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes
and divided them into four parts, one part for each of them. But as the tunic was woven in one piece from top to bottom, they said, “Let us not tear it,
but cast lots to decide who will get it.” This fulfilled the words of Scripture: They divided my clothing among them; they cast lots for my garment. This was
what the soldiers did. Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister Mary, who was the wife of Cleophas, and Mary of whom he loved,
he said to the mother, “Woman, this is your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “This is your mother.” And from that moment the disciple took her to his
own home. Jesus knew all was now finished and, in order to fulfill what was written in Scripture, he said, “I am thirsty.“ A jar full of bitter wine stood there;
so, putting a sponge soaked in the wine on a twig of hyssop, they raised it to his lips. Jesus took the wine and said, “It is accomplished.” Then he bowed
his head and gave up the spirit. (…)
Reflection:
Nietzsche’s famous declaration “God is dead” is a popular war cry
for many atheists. However, not many are aware of his very next
words: “God remains dead. And we have killed him. How shall we
comfort ourselves, the murderers of all murderers?” [italics added.]
If God died, it is because we, the creatures killed him. Human
language fails to communicate the import and emotion of this
day. Hence, let us do this today: Choose one of these moments:
Gethsemane, or at the foot of the cross, or at the tomb where
he was laid. Place yourself in that space, in that holy moment.
Observe the sentiments that arise within you. Share them
with him. But do not lose heart. Nietzsche was only partially
right: God wouldn’t remain dead; he will wake up soon, right into
our lives, giving us second and more chances.
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