Jesus was betrayed, arrested, falsely accused, tried, scourged, and beaten. Jesus carried his cross, was crucified, and with his words, “It is finished” (Jn 19:30), Jesus died. The gift of a crucifix is that it is an icon of the moment of the death of Jesus. Having a crucifix is not a morbid fascination with death, nor a rejection of his resurrection. The crucifix is not a magic talisman, but a sacramental, that helps us to remember the reality of what the Son of God, who became one with us in the fullness of our humanity. Jesus embraced all of it, all the way even unto his death, giving his life for us that we might have the opportunity to be born again, to be one with him, to be deified, and live with him forever. Without the crucifixion, there would have been no resurrection.

On this Good Friday, let us spend time in venerating Jesus on the Cross, meditating before a crucifix, before this expression of the most intimate act of Love ever expressed in human history. This icon expresses the wonderful bestowal of the grace of God upon humanity. We are reminded that we have a God who has experienced and understands betrayal, loss, suffering, pain, anguish, and even death. Jesus is relevant to our lives because he meets us in our chaos and suffering.

In making time to be still and looking upon the cross upon which he died, seeing his body slumped and lifeless, we can call to mind the times we have been betrayed, the struggles, trials, pains, sorrows, and losses that we have or are enduring right now. We can also recall those times we have betrayed and hurt others with our actions or inactions, as well as caused pain and suffering. With each conflict or experience of injustice, we can be comforted in knowing that Jesus understands because he has experienced them all.

Making time to gaze upon the crucifix in times of fear, anxiety, temptation, or indecision, and also when we are in need of forgiveness, can give us the strength and courage to endure or go through what lies before us. Jesus with his arms outstretched represents for us his eternal welcome, that he loves us more than we can ever mess up, that he does not define us by our sins or worst mistakes, and that he loves us more than we can ever imagine.

When we resist running from our trials, our suffering, and our pain, and instead face them, we will find that Jesus is waiting for us with his arms outstretched and wide open, just as he did on the Cross. Jesus meets us in the depths of the whirlwind of our deepest hurts, struggles, and confusion, as well as when and where we need him most. He may not have an answer or we may not be able to hear it in the midst of our suffering, but he is present.

I did not experience Jesus’ death in person. I did experience my wife, JoAnn’s, death, and as she lost more weight, it was like witnessing a crucifixion. I remember one afternoon when the sun shone through the window, I looked up and saw the side of her face which appeared to be only skin and bone. Even though emaciated, she never lost her beauty or her grace. JoAnn radiated love: for me, for our children, and for any who helped to care for her in her final days. JoAnn’s love, the consistent presence of the Holy Spirit that kept me focused on her and her needs instead of myself, and Jesus holding each of us up were seeds of love that were planted within me that have begun to sprout.

This is my fifth Good Friday without JoAnn. This will also be the first time in even more years that I haven’t led the Stations of the Cross on Good Friday at my home parish of St. Peter. One thing is guaranteed in our life as human beings and that is change. Nothing remains the same. Change faced with Jesus though gives us meaning and a purpose, not right away always, but when we continue to turn to him there is healing and new beginnings.

This is why we venerate Jesus on the cross today, this is why today is Good Friday, because what appeared to be the end wasn’t. Today we remember the love of the Father who sent his only Son to give his life for each and every one of us. My heart closed the day JoAnn died as may have happened for Jesus’ disciples and Mary whose heart was pierced. That is the pain we all carry into our Holy Saturdays. Yet looking at the crucifix now, we know this represents the act of love that made the Resurrection possible. We are not to deny our grief, suffering, and pain, but through our Good Fridays bring our anguish to the open arms of Jesus on the cross. The cross is the doorway to our healing, redemption, and our salvation. The crucifix is a sign not of loss but of victory for in the words of St. Irenaeus, “Jesus opened up heaven for us in the humanity he assumed!”

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Photo: Crucifix at entry of Our Lady of Florida Spiritual Center, North Palm Beach, FL.

Link for the Mass readings for Good Friday, March 29, 2024