As we read the Passion of Jesus at Mass, it is always interesting to look around the congregation and see the reaction of people. Some are very much into the reading and proclaiming the part of the Crowd. Some are reading along, but do not actually say the words assigned them out loud, or in an audible tone of voice. And some don't even bother to pick up a hymnal and follow along, choosing to distance themselves completely from the entire process.
I have actually asked some people why they do not participate fully in this reading. And almost always the response is that they don't want to be associated with the suffering and pain inflicted upon Jesus. And yet, do we all not add to his Passion each and every day of our life? So we all not turn away from him over and over again? Could each and every one of us easily walk in the shoes of any of those characters in this Story? Isn't that the point, after all, of celebrating this year in and year out?
And while it might be hard to see much joy in the story of Jesus’ suffering and death, what we are used to hearing with sadness may actually have some surprising notes of hope in them. Saint Peter’s betrayal of Jesus is an example. Not only does he fall asleep at Jesus’ hour of need and abandon Jesus at the cross, but his denials of Jesus to save his own skin rank very near Judas’ betrayal.
Peter, however, feels immediate remorse for his sins. Repentance is always possible with Christ—something Peter did and that you and I can do today as the church enters the last days of its journey with Jesus to his cross and beyond.
But we need to remember that we will only arrive at Easter as a changed person to the degree to which we enter into this Holy Week and journey through the Passion and Crucifixion with Jesus. Let us make some time to make this week different than our normal weeks, and put time aside to truly make it 'holy'.
For it will be in this way that we will draw ever closer to the Resurrection in the Father's Kingdom of true and lasting peace.
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