At every moment we carry in our bodies the death of Jesus so that in our bodies the life of Jesus may also be manifested (2 Corinthians 4:10).

If you find yourself pondering our Lord crucifixion today, and I pray you do, I hope you can focus on the moment our Lord was placed in front of the crowd, scourged, beaten and mocked. His flesh torn to pieces, the crown of thrones piercing His precious head.  His face mangled and unrecognizable.

“Look, I am bringing him out to you, so that you may know that I find no guilt in him.” So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple cloak. And he said to them, “Behold, the man!”

Is this what is done to a man with no guilt by the world who assumes to judge rightly? Daily.  Why? If we are followers of Christ, can we say, that by doing this to our neighbor, we do it because we love them and because we forgive them, as our Lord has forgiven us?

When the good thief, crucified with our Lord, said, we deserve this, but He (our Lord) did nothing wrong, think of this in regards to how you, yourself do deserve this, as do I, because we are sinners, along with, just because we deserve this, doesn’t make it right and just to do it, as it has already been done, and continues to be done, daily,  to the Man with no guilt, by us, without love, without mercy and without forgiving, to our neighbor.

“You did it to me”.

Its a good day to end practice. Pope Francis reminds us today, that the outstretched arms of our Lord are always there to welcome you, every time you stray from Him. I pray many do. I hope everyone does.

 

Today begins the Divine Mercy Novena. Day 1, starting at 3:00 PM. I hope many take advantage of this wonderful novena and open your hearts to His mercy.:

EDIT TO ADD:

Please watch, a beautiful video just posted by Fr. Mitch Pacwa on this Good Friday – The 6 Mockings of Christ. Beyond the physical and spiritual suffering that Christ endured for our salvation, He also experienced relentless bullying and abandonment. In this video, Father Mitch goes through a lesser discussed aspect of the Passion, tying it back to our modern day problems and how each one of us can learn to love more greatly, endure with patience, and become ever closer to Christ on this holy Good Friday, 2020.