REFLECTIONS TODAY

The passion narrative tells us the culminating drama of Jesus’ salvific act. It unfolds the drama with a cast of characters: there are the main protagonists, the bad guys and the good guys, the bystanders and extras. They represent the different types of persons in the drama of real life. • The extras and onlookers form the vast majority who welcome Jesus in their lives, but whose faith is based mostly on hearsay. They can change their allegiance whenever or wherever is convenient. They have no stand of their own; they place their allegiance on personages or political parties that sometimes run contrary to their own consciences. • The Sanhedrin, the scribes, and Pharisees represent the self-righteous who are ready to condemn anybody based simply on their own judgment, which at times depends on their whims and caprices. They mark or brand people as “addicts” or “thieves” or beyond redemption. • Pilate stands for the powerful on earth, ready to execute anyone who is a threat to their throne or their political interest. They are deaf to the voice of their conscience and are ready to wash away their guilt. They are indifferent to the cause of the poor and the innocent. • The women of Jerusalem mirror the countless women who carry the everyday cross of the family, often without grumble or complaint. They weep for their children who suffer out of poverty, sickness, or violence. • The apostles represent those who wholeheartedly follow Jesus in good times but abandon him when things “go wrong” because they have not understood that discipleship entails carrying one’s cross. But Jesus prays for them so that once they have recovered at Easter, they will strengthen their brethren and become the pillars of the community of believers. • The two criminals on the cross represent those who are punished for their crimes. But one who repents shows that repentance opens the way to forgiveness and salvation. • The centurion who finally recognizes Jesus and declares, “Truly, this was the Son of God!” (27:54) shows that the grace of God and Jesus’ suffering mellow even hearts made of stone. Every story finds meaning only when it is connected with Jesus’ story. The plots and sub-plots of our lives—complete with suffering, conflicts, struggles, joys and sorrows, success and failure—will find meaning only if they are joined with the sacrifice of Jesus for the sake of the beloved.