Reflection
Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion
The early Christians found it difficult to use the image of Jesus crucified in their art forms and devotional depictions in places like the catacombs or house churches. They tended to use the image of Jeus as the good shepherd, which was the most common depiction of Jesus for over the first centuries.
Given that they lived in difficult times, with many being slaves or former slaves, and others facing persecution, it is understandable that the image of Jesus carrying them as a shepherd might carry a frail sheep appealed. The image of a compassionate saviour touched their experience of life and their hearts.
The pain and trauma suffered by Jesus in the way Jesus died were hard for them to comprehend.
Slowly, they came to see more deeply. The light of the resurrection allowed them to see the crucifixion in its true meaning – a depth of meaning that allowed them to reinterpret the pain and suffering Jesus experienced. They saw the Cross as the moment when Jesus conquered death and opened for us the way into life.
We live in their debt. Like them, and led by the same Spirit, we too can now see the saving power of the Cross.
On this day, we read the Passion from John’s Gospel – a gospel account that presents Jesus as victorious. It is our victory too.
