Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent

 

The other day I was watching the news on TV, here in México, and I saw a very interesting story that I thought I’d share with you. The story was about different towns throughout México, like Ixtapalapa, preparing for their reenactment of the Passion of Christ on Good Friday. It’s quite the spectacle, very dramatic and emotional as you’d imagine, but just to set the scene… In addition to enormous crowds of thousands of Mexicans and tourists, there are those who are dressed in Biblical clothing; then there are hundreds of centurion soldiers, some on horseback in full Roman regalia; finally there is Mary, Joseph, and Jesus, wearing a real crown of thorns, with a rope around his neck being pulled by two Roman guards.

Each year, one person is chosen from hundreds to play the coveted role of Jesus. During the interview with the man chosen this year to play Jesus, he said he has to prepare throughout the Lenten season mentally and physically for this reenactment. He will have to be physically ready to carry this heavy wooden cross more than a mile, up-hill, in the heat, and he will have to be mentally ready to suffer blows from the Roman guards, insults from passer-bys, and he has to study a script that narrates the Passion story.

Although, the massive crowd can’t hear the actor’s words being played over a useless sound system, people are crying without shame in the streets, overwhelmed at the sight of this Jesus figure being led to his crucifixion. As witnesses to this emotional scene we ask ourselves: “why are we crying?” if this is only just a reenactment? Do we cry because we know we are all sinners ourselves and he is dying in our place? Do we cry because we know we are just better as human beings for witnessing Jesus’ courageous act of self-giving? Even if we aren’t chosen to play the coveted role of Jesus in a reenactment of the Passion, the least we can do is show up for Jesus while He carries His cross for us.

We can be like Simon who is pressed into service by the guards to help lighten Jesus’ load. We can be like Veronica, who is too weak to really help Jesus physically, but can show him compassion by wiping the blood, sweat, and tears from His face. Or we could be like the woman who come and meet Jesus and can do nothing but weep and cry for Jesus in His time of suffering.

            If you haven’t already, please check out the virtual Busted Halo Stations of the Cross on YouTube, and watch the stations at least once a week, or like me, watch a few each day, for the remainder of the Lenten season. Watch these videos and read the messages. Prepare yourself for Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday, so when these days come, you are not confused as to why we are commemorating these events. Take 5-10 minutes a day to get ready to meet Jesus in His Way of the Passion on Good Friday.

Ciro ‘14