There are so many individuals who are “players” in the Passion of Jesus, our Savior, Friend, and Brother.
Peter denied Jesus; Judas betrayed Him. Passersby stared at Him during the Way of the Cross and on Golgotha. The revolutionaries crucified Him harshly, inflicting unthinkable pain on Him. There were those who helped Our Lord and showed Him compassion and care. Simon the Cyrene who helped to carry the Cross, Veronica who wiped His face, and His Blessed Mother who walked the sorrowful Way with her Son are those whom the scriptures mention.
Most likely, there were others who were friends of Jesus and had listened attentively to His every word during life, and these also witnessed the Suffering and Death of Jesus up front and close.
Where would each of us be in the scenes of the Passion?
Would we have stood among the faithful women?
Perhaps we would have spoken out with conviction to have Pilate release Him and not Barabbas! Maybe we would have condemned Him with our words because of fear, like many in the crowd.
Would we have been like the Centurion who had a change of heart and proclaimed: “Truly this was the Son of God?”
On this first day of Holy Week, 2021, we should read the 14th and 15th Chapters of Mark’s Gospel and unpack the richness of the account. Find within its pages your personal friendship with Jesus as He prepares you to experience His deep suffering for you and all the people everywhere. See the eyes of Jesus looking at you. Hear His gentle voice say that all will be well. I am paying the price now for you to be able to have the divine life of the Trinity!
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.
Sister Diane Marie Corrado, CSFN
