“He saved his life!” THAT is the thought that raced through my head as I heard my brother share with me his memories of what happened to him on March 24 after getting phone calls that day from my sister that he had collapsed in his front yard, was unresponsive and was headed by ambulance to the hospital. That neighbor, that EMT, that doctor had all helped save his life. Thank God, a neighbor called 911 so quickly and my brother is ok.
As I have reflected on this, I could not help but think that phrase is something we can all say as witnesses to the Good Fridays of our lives. “He saved my life.” And that “he” is Jesus. Jesus saved my life on Good Friday. The good thief on the cross can say that. The woman caught in the act of adultery can say that. The lepers that were cured can say that. But can
we say that?
We just heard the centurion proclaim, "Truly this man was God's Son!" How did he know that? Did he have a conversion of heart? Did he realize that love and fear cannot exist together? Did he feel forgiven? Did he realize that Jesus saved
his life?
I know I am called to witness to the compassionate love of Jesus because we have hearts touched by the mystery of God's love. And Jesus knew His cry of forgiveness opened the door of compassion and mercy. He was saving our lives! Each and every one of us!
I know that I am called to forgive and let go. And I have been able to truly personally experience that call and act upon it this Lent even when I feared what would happen. And how it would be received. I can tell you today, that the obstacles in our path are the path! Or as St. Ignatius said: “Resistance is the edge of grace.” How true. Letting go and forgiving are graces given to us all. And forgiving is a saving act.
The music of this season has been prodding my heart – “were you there?” With a bit different emphasis, that can become the question we all ask in times of sorrow, pain and doubt - are you there God? Are you there when the doctor says those words? When your parent dies? When the pain is just too much to bear? When you realize it is time to let go and forgive? YES!! God IS there each and every time and is truly present regardless of whatever we are going through and experiencing right here, right now.
You see, it is
within the Good Fridays of our lives that we find our redemption. Good Friday teaches us that God can be trusted.
Jesus felt all alone on the cross and his cry of "my God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" echoes in our hearts this day. Deep within each of us, we know God WAS there. But it takes trust to come to believe God is there in our pain and sorrow. And that Jesus’ saving grace is happening, that He
is saving our lives.
Being willing to trust things to God – to God Whose love was waiting for me to let go from the start, not after I tried to fix things by myself – is not easy. But, the call to love, trust and forgive is what today is all about. And the path will lead me right to where I need to be. I needed to trust the forgiving process to God. God’s desire is always to forgive.
In the midst of Jesus’ agony today, Jesus trusted in God. It may seem that God was silent when Jesus cries out: “eloi, eloi lema sabachthani” but we know
that silence is filled with God’s love, merciful forgiveness and hope.
And so, we are called to be forgiving witnesses. But, that is not easy. For we are called to be witnesses like Veronica. To minister to those who carry their cross today, to wipe the blood and spit and tears from the faces of those in need and pain.
We are called to be witnesses like Simon of Cyrene. To be unexpectedly pressed into service to willingly follow behind Jesus, carry the cross, and lift the burdens of Christ in our midst.
This Jesus Who said:
Has no one condemned you?
Pick up your mat and go home.
Leave her alone.
Come and see.
And last night said take, eat, stay with Me now says few words and lets His very presence say it all. And in the end, as He was dying for us, asks the Father to forgive. His witness is clear.