On Palm Sunday and Good Friday, the Liturgy of the Catholic Church makes the faithful face the beauty and the cruelty of Christ’s Passion in its entirety. Cycle B—this year—presents us with the simple, almost “laconic,” account of Mark. The concise style of this evangelist helps appreciate at a single glance all the beautiful details and interacting characters, almost as if we were contemplating a “living” picture.
How can we interact in the mystery of our own Redemption? Are we simple spectators or can we be part of it? Needless to say, that “full, conscious and active participation in the liturgy”2 takes us to the depths of the Paschal Mystery. Our spiritual immersion in the liturgical celebration can transform us from mere observers into loving faithful.
Here is how St. Gregory Nazianzen believes we should celebrate the Passion of the Lord:
“Before long… we shall be keeping the Passover in a yet more perfect way, and with deeper understanding…
We Must Be Ready to be Crucified
If you are a Simon of Cyrene, take up your cross and follow Christ. If you are crucified beside him like one of the thieves, now, like the good thief, acknowledge your God. For your sake, and because of your sin, Christ himself was regarded as a sinner; for his sake, therefore, you must cease to sin. Worship him who was hung on the cross because of you, even if you are hanging there yourself. Derive some benefit from the very shame, purchase salvation with your death. Enter paradise with Jesus and discover how far you have fallen. Contemplate the glories there and leave the other scoffing thief to die outside in his blasphemy. If you are a Joseph of Arimathea, go to the one who ordered his crucifixion, and ask for Christ’s body. Make your own the expiation for the sins of the whole world. If you are a Nicodemus, like the man who worshiped God by night, bring spices and prepare Christ’s body for burial. If you are one of the Marys, or Salome, or Joanna, weep in the early morning. Be the first to see the stone rolled back, and even the angels perhaps, and Jesus himself.”3
A sincere celebration of Christ’s Passion will take us with Him, beyond, into the morning of his Resurrection.
Happy Easter Triduum and Happy Easter!
God bless you all.
Author: The Contribution of Cornelio Fabro to Fundamental Theology. Reason and Faith: htps://www.cambridgescholars.com/product/978-1-5275-9315-2
Poesía Sacra, Quemar las Naves, and Desde Fossanova, IVE Press: htps://ivepress.org/
2 Vatican Council II, Sacrosanctum Concilium, n. 14.
3 From a homily by Saint Gregory Nazianzen, bishop, (Oratio 45, 23-24: PG 36, 654-655). From the Divine Office.
[Readings: Is 52:13—53:12; Heb 4:14-16; 5:7-9; Jn 18:1—19:42]
