Year: 2024

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Gospel: John 19: 31-37

Since it was preparation day,
in order that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath,
for the sabbath day of that week was a solemn one, 
the Jews asked Pilate that their legs be broken 
and they be taken down.
So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first 
and then of the other one who was crucified with Jesus.
But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, 
they did not break his legs, 
but one soldier thrust his lance into his side, 
and immediately blood and water flowed out.
An eyewitness has testified, and his testimony is true; 
he knows that he is speaking the truth, 
so that you also may come to believe.
For this happened so that the Scripture passage might be fulfilled:
Not a bone of it will be broken.
And again another passage says:
They will look upon him whom they have pierced.

The Gospel of the Lord.

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The crucifixion of Jesus Christ creates a scene of both gore and glory. It encompasses two mysterious truths: the mystery of human suffering and the even greater mystery of divine love.

Crucifixion was the most brutal form of execution in the ancient world. Those who were crucified did not die because of blood loss caused by the nails driven into their flesh; they died by suffocation.

A man would hang upon the cross for as long he could push himself up with his legs, lifting his chest for a desperate draw of air. Once a person became too exhausted to push anymore, he’d suffocate under his own weight, arms spread open in surrender. 

This is why the Roman soldiers broke the legs of the two men hanging next to Jesus; the Jewish feast of Passover was near and they needed to move on. Those criminals would’ve died within a matter of minutes.

The Lord, however, had already passed from this world. A soldier pierced his side to confirm, “it is finished.”

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Here we find the source of the Sacraments, the love of God literally poured out as blood and water.

From the earliest days of the Church – and certainly in John’s Gospel – Christians understood the water flowing from Christ’s side to be the font of baptism. The blood, the font of Eucharist. 

“Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him and I shall raise him on the last day,” the Lord promises.

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But the Lord’s death on Calvary was also seen in the context of marriage.

In the 4^th century, Saint Augustine noted that the flow of blood and water recalls the union between a bride and her groom on their wedding night. Thus, the Cross becomes the fullest expression of Christ’s love for his bride, the Church.

There he gives himself away – arms spread open, embracing all of humanity, washing us clean. 

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On this Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, we recall that most sacred moment when the Lord, “loved us and gave himself for us.”

What else are we to do, but, “give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his love endures forever.”

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Image credits: (1) Michael Corsini, Catholic Artist (2) Christ Crucified, Diego Velazquez (3) Christian Pictures Blog

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2 Timothy 2: 8-15

Beloved:
Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David:
such is my Gospel, for which I am suffering,
even to the point of chains, like a criminal.
But the word of God is not chained.
Therefore, I bear with everything for the sake of those who are chosen,
so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus,
together with eternal glory.
This saying is trustworthy:

If we have died with him
we shall also live with him;
if we persevere
we shall also reign with him.
But if we deny him
he will deny us.
If we are unfaithful
he remains faithful,
for he cannot deny himself.

Remind people of these things
and charge them before God to stop disputing about words.
This serves no useful purpose since it harms those who listen.
Be eager to present yourself as acceptable to God,
a workman who causes no disgrace,
imparting the word of truth without deviation.

The Word of the Lord.

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Imagine receiving a letter from a loved one in prison. They’re writing, not to update you on their status or on what life is like in chains; rather, they’re writing to encourage you to do the very same things that caused them to be imprisoned.

You’re in the prime of your life. You don’t take your own freedom for granted. Nor do you have any desire to live behind bars. And yet, they say to you, “Do not be ashamed of me; rather, do what I have done.”

Who among us would listen?

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Such is the feeling Timothy has in our first reading.

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Paul is literally chained to the arms of a Roman soldier, awaiting his execution. One of his final acts is to write to his “spiritual son,” Timothy, whom he ordained a priest. Paul knows that Timothy is struggling in his faith and ministry, so he writes to encourage him.

First, Paul appeals to his character. Then he reminds Timothy of his roots; both his mother and grandmother were Christians. Then he reminds him of his priestly ordination. And for his closing argument, Paul reminds Timothy that Christ is alive … and in touch. 

“Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead,” he says. “Such is my Gospel for which I am suffering… But the word of God is not chained… Remind people of these things… Be eager to present yourself as acceptable to God, a workman who causes no disgrace.”

Paul understood that the burden of the Gospel was laid on his shoulders, but that his time was coming to an end. The yoke of ministry had to be handed on… and Timothy was among the “chosen” to share it.

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Such is the case for each of us today.

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There remain many in our world who’ve never heard the good news of the Gospel. Others have either misheard or misunderstood. People long to know the truth – that God loves us as we are and has saved us. As Paul says, “If Christ is for us, then who can be against us?”

Like Paul and Timothy, are you willing to share the yoke of the Gospel? And, if so, how do you share it – not simply in words – but by the way you live your life?

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Image credits: (1) Truthout (2) Paul in Prison, Rembrandt (3) Pastor Rick’s Daily Hope

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2 Timothy 1: 1-3, 6-12

Paul, an Apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God
for the promise of life in Christ Jesus,
to Timothy, my dear child:
grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father
and Christ Jesus our Lord.

I am grateful to God,
whom I worship with a clear conscience as my ancestors did,
as I remember you constantly in my prayers, night and day.

For this reason, I remind you to stir into flame
the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands. 
For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice
but rather of power and love and self-control.
So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord,
nor of me, a prisoner for his sake;
but bear your share of hardship for the Gospel
with the strength that comes from God.

He saved us and called us to a holy life,
not according to our works
but according to his own design
and the grace bestowed on us in Christ Jesus before time began,
but now made manifest
through the appearance of our savior Christ Jesus,
who destroyed death and brought life and immortality
to light through the Gospel,
for which I was appointed preacher and Apostle and teacher.
On this account I am suffering these things;
but I am not ashamed,
for I know him in whom I have believed
and am confident that he is able to guard
what has been entrusted to me until that day.

The Word of the Lord.

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On paper, Saint Paul’s accolades are impossible to repeat: 

He saw the Risen Christ; he helped write half of the New Testament; he was an Apostle; the greatest missionary of his age; and a man of exceptional spiritual and physical endurance.

But there’s one thing, in particular, that I find endearing. Although he had no children of his own, Paul had the tender heart of a father. 

He ordained a number of men to the priesthood, including Timothy, whom he refers to as his, “spiritual son.”

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In our first reading, we hear part a letter, which Paul writes to Timothy, revealing several important truths about their relationship.

First, Paul writes to encourage Timothy, who seems to be struggling in his faith. “I remind you,” he says, “to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands.”

We don’t know exactly why Timothy was struggling – it could be the effect of Paul’s absence, who’s writing to him from prison. The weight of persecution, or something as simple as dryness in prayer or burn out.

“I remember you constantly in my prayers, night and day,” he says.

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Paul continues with tender-hearted affirmation, reminding Timothy that he follows in the footsteps of other faithful Christians, including his own grandmother, Lois, and his mother, Eunice, who came to faith before him.

Their faith, “dwells in you,” he says.

But he concludes by challenging Timothy – as I suppose as any father would – to, “bear your share of hardship for the Gospel with the strength that comes from God.”

Such is the nature of a healthy father-son relationship: there is tenderness and affirmation, but also high standards.

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I’d imagine Paul has the same fatherly love for each of us. While he assures us of his prayers, he also reminds us: “Bear your share of hardship for the Gospel.” 

What might that look like for us today?

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Image credits: (1) Taste Twin Cities (2) Gerald Whitely (3) Guideposts