Homily for Good Friday 2011

Crucifixiion by Georges Roueault

(Scriptures for today's liturgy)

When I stand at the foot of the Cross,
under its wings, his outstretched arms,
dare I look up into the eyes of him
who loved me so much?

When I stand at the foot of the Cross,
do I seek its shadow,
hoping to hide my sins
pinned with him to his tree of suffering?

When I stand at the foot of the Cross,
and drops of his blood caress my cheeks,
do I feel the rain of mercy
he showers upon me?

When I stand at the foot of the Cross,
what do I see?
what am I afraid to see?
what do I try not to see?
And do I see how from the Cross
he sees me,
with love in his eyes?

When I stand at the foot of the Cross,
what do I pray?
Does my heart find the words I need to say?
the words I want to say?
Do my lips find the courage
to speak my soul’s need for his mercy,
my desire for his pardon,
my hope for his forgiveness?

When I stand at the foot of the Cross,
do I see in his tired body
the strength I need to live the truth?
Do I see in his blood
the life for which I thirst?
Do I hear in his last gasp
my first breath of hope
for life for ever?

When I stand at the foot of the Cross,
do I see all those gathered there with me?
Do I see sinners like myself
and saints who need him just as much as I do?

Do I see all humankind of every race and time
standing with me, me with them,
all of us one in our need
for the love, the mercy, the life
offered in the body and blood of our Brother, Jesus,
Lord and Savior of us all?

When I stand at the foot of the Cross,
do I look up and turn my face to his
and let his eyes meet mine
and come to know in the depths of who I am
that I am loved,
I am forgiven,
I am saved,
I am redeemed?

When we stand at the foot of the Cross,
do we see Jesus, the Lamb of God,
our Passover, our lasting peace,
Jesus who takes away our sins,
who takes away the sins of the world?

When we stand at the foot of the Cross,
under its wings, his outstretched arms,
let us dare to look up into the eyes of him
who has loved with the gift of his life,
who has loved us with an everlasting love
that we might live
in everlasting peace.



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