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On Palm Sunday, in most of the parishes of the Diocese, the passion of Christ is read as part of the morning liturgy.  The passion is also be read (or sung) on Good Friday as we remember the story of the crucifixion.  Twice in one week we hear words that are central to our faith as we hear the details leading up to Jesus’ betrayal and then his very short trial.  We hear how he was crucified, in more detail than we might want to hear, and how he endured much suffering leading to his death. 

 While he is in agony on the cross, his final words, according to John’s gospel, are: “It is finished.”  Those words seem so devastating to me.  They seem so final and complete.  They seem harsh and raw and gut-wrenching.  It is finished.  The Word of God that had come into the world to reveal the light of God died in a cruel and devastating way.  The hope of the world seemed to have been removed.  The love of God seemed to have ended.  The darkness seemed to have won.  Death had the final say.  The darkness seemed to have overcome the light.  It is important that we sit with these words for a while: “It is finished.” 

Emptiness, grief, and despair seem to fill the air if those are the final words.

 And soon after those words were uttered, Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea, both secret disciples of Jesus, came and took the corpse so that it could be buried by placing it in a tomb.  And there it was left, protected by a stone at the entrance to the tomb, the final statement after the words, “It is finished.” 

But we know that this was not the end.  We know that life returned where it was assumed it would never return.  We know that light shone out where it seemed like only darkness would be known.  We know that the relationship with God and humanity did not come to an end that day, but forgiveness, love, and grace filled what was seen as that void.  God would not abandon us; God would not ever abandon us.  Instead, the link between God and us, heaven and earth, this life and the life to come, only strengthened and solidified. 

Because we know that the tomb where the body was placed would soon be empty.  And we know that this changes everything!  In that empty tomb, we discover that God’s love is infinite and complete for this world and all time.  We know that new life was restored and death was no more.  And to all of that and so much more we say, “Alleluia!”

May we as a diocese walk this walk from “It is finished,” to “Alleluia!”  But may we walk it with an intentionality that will feed our souls and animate our relationship with God. For it is what takes place between these statements that connects us completely and fully with God’s love and God’s grace. 

Happy Easter to you in all the ways you celebrate the new life of Christ!

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Photo: "Deposition of the Lord" altarpiece, Lateran Basilica. Photo by Fr. Lawrence, OP. / Flickr.