Timelytidbits’s Weblog

The question has been asked of me, at various times in my life, why I remain Catholic.  That has never been a difficult question for me to answer because I passionately believe in this Church as the deepest expression of the revelation of Jesus Christ as the Messiah, the Son of God; so much so that I will serve in it until the day I die.  (God, willing)  That is the short answer.  The long answer has to do with a variety of different reasons and experience.  One of the other reason is expressed as we move into Friday of Holy Week; as we remember, honor and live tomorrow through the death of Christ.

You see, most Christian Churches focus on the resurrection of Christ and in truth so does the Catholic Church.  The difference is we don’t ignore the pain and suffering of Jesus.  A friend once asked me why we as Catholics “leave” Jesus on the cross.  I was in college at the time and didn’t know the answer. In asking one of my professors (who happened to be a Jesuit Priest) he said this:  As Catholics we need to be reminded of two things. First that death, no matter how painful, has no victory over those who believe because Jesus rises from this experience to new life. Lets just stop for a minute and think about this.  Death is not the end.  Better yet lets say it this way — new life can come from death if we believe.  You have been diagnosed with cancer.  Person after person has testified that this was the best news they ever go because it forced them to re-evaluate the way they lived and loved in their lives.  Divorce, although devastating can lead to new possibilities.  Job loss.  Death of a loved one.  These are only endings of chapters not of life.

His second comment has been my Good Friday reflection, since that day. He had me look closely at the face of Christ, right into his eyes. He asked me: “Who do you think Jesus is looking at?” I fumbled something like “Mary?” “No” he said. “You.  You,” he repeated.  “He sees you as he hangs on that cross.”  Then he had me look at the lips of Jesus and had me imagine Jesus whispering the name of his loved ones. And again he asked me: “Whose name is on is lips?” This time I remained silent. “Yours” he said.  He very emphatically told me that Jesus’ loved me so much that before I even knew him, he knew me and loved me and he died for me. 

Jesus remains on the cross to this day, suffering the humiliation and pain of death not because he needed it; but because he knew that you and I need it.  We cannot earn our way into heaven.  No amount of good deeds or donations or unselfish love could redeem our sinfulness.  This gift was given to us through the blood of the cross.  By the way.  Do you know why we call tomorrow “Good” Friday?  Not because of the pain and suffering of Christ but because we are loved so much:

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8

Until next time, I remain your servant in Christ,

Theresa