Fr Rory Writes: Stations of the Cross continued:
The Twelfth Station: Jesus dies at the Cross. “We adore thee O Christ and we praise thee, because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the World”.
It is accomplished Jesus bows His head and dies – but there is no magic. His Divine intervention which was essential for our salvation has accomplished its purpose. God’s salvation for all of mankind. On a number of times during our years in our seminary, in preparation for priesthood, at retreats and lectures I have heard some great teachings on the focus of what was accomplished upon the cross, and how God could have restored to us all that was lost under Adam’s fall. Through one man, Adam, sin entered our world, but Jesus came down from heaven to put an end to sin and death. The love through which He accomplished this has been entrusted to us. Our purpose is to become the church working to bring God’s salvation into a broken sinful world. So this is the privilege offered to us – to work with Him to bring forgiveness, healing and a loving presence into people’s lives to restore God’s Kingdom – The Kingdom of Heaven.
One our Father, one Hail Mary, one Glory be to the Father.
The Thirteenth Station: Jesus is taken down from the Cross. “We adore thee O Christ and we praise thee, because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the World”.
The work of the church has commenced. The evil, the enemy is as active as ever. So the ministry of the scared, the very scariest one run away from the scene, naked and afraid. The soldiers have not been disbanded and the work of the Sanhedrin continued. Preparation by God’s providence for the burial could take place, as Joseph of Arimathea became God’s instrument. Permission was granted and a tomb, newly hewn from rock, prepared. Nicodemus came as well, and he brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes weighing about 100 pounds. They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices, following the Jewish custom. The work of salvation will go on until the fullness of time. We are privileged people.
One our Father, one Hail Mary, one Glory be to the Father.
Fourteenth Station: Jesus is laid in the tomb. “We adore thee O Christ and we praise thee”.
The body has been embalmed. The enemy is still on the job, guards are posted. Growing up on a farm I was involved with the burial of animals from a very young age. This brings death home. So for me a Christian funeral is profoundly different. We have the greatest symbol presented to us by Jesus. “Unless a grain of wheat falls on the ground and dies it remains a single grain, but if it dies in the ground it produces one hundred fold”. This comes homes to me at the altar for Mass as the consecration takes place. Holy Week is on our doorstep. Let us bring our greatest care and attention to these events: The Resurrection, The Ascension, and above all Pentecost. From these we might receive strength and joy – a new Pentecost – new fruits that will last, and please God, we can move on from the coronavirus.
One our Father, one Hail Mary, one Glory be to the Father.