HOMILY GOOD FRIDAY 2025
SUFFERING SERVICE IN HUMILITY, SPEAKING THE TRUTH
ACCEPTING THE CROSS
Jn 18.1-19.42 Is 52.13-53.12 Heb 4.14-16,5.7-9
Salvador Dali was a controversial artist, who professed Christianity, despite his weirdness and surrealism, and created 2 of the most memorable images of our traditional celebrations of Holy Thursday with “The Sacrament of the Last Supper”, and Good Friday with “Christ of Saint John of the Cross”. The latter has been described “for better or worse, probably the most enduring vision of the crucifixion painted in the 20th century…. It is his attempt at quantum mysticism, a term he coined that fuses mathematics, science, and religion to create a unique interpretation of Christ’s crucifixion.” The concrete reality of these events we commemorate is somehow transcended in Dali’s images, reflecting the mystery of faith in Jesus’ Incarnation, his humanity and divinity, rising above it all.
Now, back to the human reality, some years ago now, a concerned mother came to me about her child in grade 3, who couldn’t cope with understanding why such a good person as Jesus had to suffer and die. When we think about it, most of us grew up just accepting the crucifix as part of the imagery of our Catholic life and culture, but it is a scary and grotesque image. The young person’s anxiety was quite understandable, and it was difficult for me to put his fears to rest. To him, it just wasn’t right or fair! All I could say was that life could be like that, but that Jesus shows us the way to face up to difficulties when they happen in our own lives. And I’ve been asked by some thinking young people why this is called ‘Good Friday’, when it is clearly not, given the tragedy of it all! Perhaps the European versions of ‘Holy Friday’ make more sense.
As for the mantra, “Jesus died to save us from our sins”, I believe that needs qualifying, as it doesn’t explain why there is still so much sin in our world today! To my mind, Jesus died because of sinful people, who were threatened by his simple message of love and peace, and who didn’t like their self-importance being challenged when they were in positions of power, wealth and control over the ordinary people. And the dark side if human nature is still very evident in our world too.
It might be asked why there have to be 4 different accounts of the Passion in the Gospels, but the fact is they were written in different circumstances at different times, for diverse communities, facing different issues. And, of course, the human element of memory and interpretation comes into the picture as well, divinely inspired as the scriptures are!
And now we’ve just heard the long dramatic portrayal of John’s Gospel, as Jesus departs into the gloom and darkness of the night. to face the gross injustice of what is to come with his agony in the garden of Gethsemane, betrayal, kangaroo court trial, with the to-ing and fro-ing of Pilate, the roar and bloodlust of the crowd, and finally the way of the Cross to crucifixion, the faithful women alongside him until the end and beyond.
Scripture scholar Raymond Brown says: “John… presents a Jesus of kingly serenity, while Mark’s stark portrait of Jesus emphasises the depths of abandonment before the final triumph”. Then he goes on to say: “John’s portrait of Jesus is that of a self-assured sovereign, reigning victoriously from the cross. Jesus is in control of all that happens. He does not pray to be delivered from trial and death… his hour is the whole purpose of his life… Jesus carries his own cross… He is not alone on Calvary… Jesus’ final words are a solemn ‘It is finished’. Even in death, water and life flow from Jesus’ side. His burial is not unprepared… The spices accompanying his body befit a king.” John’s high christology is far more developed and sophisticated than that of the 3 Synoptic Gospels.
We speak of the crosses of our own lives, having to face up to them when times are tough. Facing our own mortality is part of it all too, but not in a masochistic sense. Life is a gift to be lived and loved, as well as we can, and there’s no sense in looking for the valley or vale of tears, of which the old prayer speaks. There are enough challenges as it is! And there is a fundamental principle for suffering to be relieved, wherever possible, as it’s not a good thing in itself, whether physical, emotional or psychological.
The Cross today reminds us of Jesus walking among us, facing injustice, inhumanity, suffering and death, with determination, compassion and love, showing us how to carry the crosses that arise our own lives, with faith in a loving God that wins out in the end.
There is so much suffering in our world at present, and all we can do is watch and pray, and hope for improvement, as well as providing what practical support we can through Project Compassion and the resulting great work on the ground throughout the world through Caritas Australia.
Meanwhile we do have the annual collection for maintenance of the Holy Places in Israel every Good Friday, so that’s the purpose of today’s collection.
john hannon 19th April 2025