Page 122 - spiritual_accompaniment_montreal_archdiocese

HOMILIES

7. Homily - Friday, April 10, 2020

Good Friday (Jn 18:1-19:42)

They Look on the One Whom They Have Pierced

“They look on the one whom they have pierced.”

This is a prophetic message that we find in sacred scripture. Jesus himself will extend this by
saying: “The Son of Man must be lifted up. Lifted up from the earth, the Son of Man will draw
all people to himself.” Once lifted up from the earth, St. John wants us to be certain that we
understand well what this is about.

When he is lifted up from the earth, this is to say when crucified. He speaks of the death that
awaits him in Jerusalem.

Why does Jesus draw all people to himself from the cross? Because the love that lasts to the
end, the infinite love of God, is poured out from the cross, through Jesus Christ crucified. This
love is of an astonishing strength. Death has its power, but the love of God is more powerful.
The love of Jesus Christ is more powerful. Suffering has its power, but the love of Jesus Christ
is more powerful. Hatred has its power, but the love of Jesus Christ is more powerful.
Divisions have their power, but the love of Jesus Christ is more powerful.

On this Holy Friday, let us take the time to contemplate the crucified Christ. Let us take the
time to gaze on Jesus on the cross.

Let us contemplate his love. The love that no one could stop, not by any suffering, not by any
kind of death, not by any kind of hatred. It could not be stopped, as he died while loving us.
Jesus died while loving us. He died while forgiving. He died while praying: “Into your hands I
commend my spirit.” He died while loving us to the end, he loved us to the end.

At times we find it difficult to love, we find it difficult to forgive, we are afraid of getting sick.
Perhaps we are afraid of the sick during this pandemic, because COVID-19 causes so many
fears and worries. When we are afraid, others might say that being courageous is not to have
fears.

But before the cross, we share our fears with Jesus Christ: “Lord, I am afraid! I offer you my
fears. Lord, I am sick! I offer you my sickness. Lord, I have sinned! I offer you my sins.”

(cont’d)

Collection of texts by the Most Rev. Christian Lépine 122