Easter is actually the last day of Holy Week. It is the day celebrated every Sunday by Christians, and is the core of our faith. However, it is important to reflect on the entire meaning of Holy Week.
The Tridium actually begins on Holy Thursday. We remember the institution by Jesus of the Eucharist. At every Mass we repeat the words of Jesus at the Last Supper.
“This is my body. This is my blood.”
We are a Eucharistic people. When we receive the body and blood of Jesus in the Eucharist we become the Body of Christ. We are called to bring Jesus to the world by our actions.
On Good Friday, we remember the actual death and crucifixion of our Lord, Jesus Christ. How is it possible to put God to death? Why did Jesus have to suffer in such a terrible way? Unless we reflect on these questions, we miss an important part of our faith. In Luke 9:23 Jesus says,
“If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it.”
Suffering is part of everyone’s life. How we react to suffering determines the quality of our discipleship. Jesus is telling us to be selfless. He then shows us how to suffer. Catholics, meditate on the Stations of the Cross during Good Friday services. This helps us to apply our faith to our daily life.
Good Friday is followed by Easter, truly a glorious and joyful day. The resurrection tells us that Jesus has conquered death. We are redeemed by the suffering, death, and resurrection Jesus Christ.
We celebrate Easter every week, never forgetting the sacrifice Jesus made for us. We must never forget that before he rose, he suffered and died…for us.
In Sunday’s address to those gathered in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis reflected on the Gospel of Matthew (5:13-14). “You are the salt of the earth…. You are the light of the world”. According to Zenit News Agency, Pope Francis told those gathered that this gospel directly follows the Beatitudes.
In his address, Pope Francis asked “Who were those disciples? They were fishermen, simple people. But Jesus looked upon them with the eyes of God and his statement should be understood precisely as a consequence of the Beatitudes. He wishes to say: If you will be poor in spirit, if you will be meek, if you will be pure of heart; if you will be merciful….you will be the salt of the earth and the light of the world.”
Pope Francis explained the gospel’s images, saying that Jewish Law prescribed putting a little salt upon every offering to God, as a sign of the covenant. “Light, for Israel, was a symbol of the messianic revelation that triumphs over the darkness of paganism. Thus, Christians, the new Israel, received a ‘mission’ for all men; with faith and charity they can direct, consecrate, and make humanity fruitful. All of us baptized are missionary disciples and we are called to become a living gospel in the world; with a holy life we will give ‘taste’ to the different spheres of society, and defend them from corruption just as salt does; and we will bring the light of Christ, with the witness of a genuine charity. But if we Christians lose our taste and extinguish our presence as salt and light we will lose effectiveness.”
Pope Francis continued:
“But how beautiful is this mission to give light to the world! It is a mission we have. It is beautiful! It is also very beautiful to keep that light that we have received from Jesus, protect it and keep it. The Christian must be a shining person, who brings light, who always gives light! A light that is not his, but a gift from God, it is Jesus’ gift. And we carry this light. If the Christian extinguishes this light, his life has no meaning. He is Christian in name only, he does not bring light with him, his light is without meaning. But I would like to ask you now, how do you want to live? Do you want to live like a light that is on aor one that is off? On or Off? How do you want to live? (The people gathered responded “On!”) A light that is on! It is God himself who gives us this light, and we give it to others. A light that is on! This is the Christian vocation.”
Following the Angelus, Pope Francis spoke about Feb. 11, the memorial for Our Lady of Lourdeswhen we will observe the World Day of the Sick. He asked everyone to pray for the sick and to be close to them. He quoted St. John, “Faith and Charity: We ought to lay down our lives for one another (1Jn 3:16). “In particular,” he said, “we can imitate the attitude of Jesus toward the sick; the sick of every sort. The Lord cares for them; shares their suffering and opens their heart to hope.”
Pope Francis thanked health workers saying how precious their work is. “The attitude toward the sick that is generous and Christian,” he said, “is salt of the earth and light of the world. May Mary help us to practice and obtain peace for all those who are suffering.”
Pope Francis concluded his address with the following statement:
And before I depart the question I asked comes back to my mind. Light on or light off? What do you want? On or Off? The Christian brings light! He is a light that is on. Always forward with the light of Jesus!”
Every time we attend Mass we offer each other The Peace of Christ. Just what is the peace of Christ? Peace is many things. Primarily, it is the absence of worry and fear. The apostles were very much confused and frightened after the crucifixion. When Jesus appeared to the apostles and Doubting Thomas, Jesus offers them peace. Not once, but twice, he says “Peace be with you.” (John 20: 19-23) Their confusion and anxiety was removed and they went forth to baptize disciples.
Again, what is this peace Christ offers us? When we put our trust completely in God, we cease to worry. It is the knowledge that God not only loves me, but has a plan for me. It is true that there is much suffering in the world; however, when we have Jesus at our side, we are not alone.
Why is there suffering in the world? Why does a loving God permit it? The simplest answer to this is God gives us free will. He does not force himself on anyone. If we want a relationship with God we need to be open to his love. Sin is not the will of God because God is truth and love. Suffering is many times the consequence of sin. Health issues are not usually a result of sin, however they give us the opportunity to turn to God for strength and guidance. Remember, death is a doorway to heaven. How will we ever enter heaven unless death comes first?
When you are suffering, meditate on a crucifix. Jesus suffered for us, to redeem us. If Jesus suffered such a horrible death, why do we believe our life should be free of suffering?
Faith in Jesus is a gift. If we put our trust in God (Jesus), we let him lead us and walk with us every day. We accept suffering as Jesus accepted suffering, knowing that heaven is our reward.
None of this is easy. Many people scoff at the idea that we should accept suffering in Jesus’ name. But when you offer your suffering to Jesus you are discovering the mystery of the cross.
It is by letting Jesus guide us in our darkest moments that we come close to Jesus. How can we trust and love Jesus unless we come to know him? The only way to know Jesus is to talk, and walk with Jesus. Jesus said;
“I am the way, the truth, and the light.” (John 14:6)
When we walk with Jesus and pray on a regular basis our fear turns to trust.
