Philippine Asian News Today Vol 20 No 07 | Page 25

April 1 - 15, 2018
PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY
25
God’s Friday
by JJ Atencio
It’s a tragic story whose elements
are so dramatic that it would put a
Shakespearean tragedy to shame.
Look at this: a triumphal entry
followed by envy, betrayal, denial,
fake news, abandonment, cowardice,
conspiracy, politics, ridicule, mob
mentality, torture, cruelty and a death
so horrific it could only be described
as inhuman.
It seems all the worst traits of man
surfaced and were extolled on this
single day.
The Pharisees were right. In just
a short time, the tending popularity of
Jesus has become viral, and in that
light, has become a palpable threat
to established social order and their
authority, power and control. It was
a disruption that couldn’t anymore be
ignored.
But
rather
than
respond
strategically, they did so in a way that
would be typical of many leaders faced
with a sudden problem: they executed
a plan that was based on fear.
And so, the Pharisees were
ultimately wrong. Instead of stopping the disruption, the death of Jesus
has given life to the most important,
greatest platform in mankind’s
history: Christianity.
That the Pharisees were able
to simply stir hateful, blood thirsty
emotions of the mob against Jesus
when, just a few days ago, was
welcomed so lovingly with palms by
the same mob, is a prime example
of how easily we can be influenced
by those in power. Or how the State
will choose to wash their hands of a
filthy conspiracy and bow to mob rule
instead of standing firm and brave for
what is right and just.
I think that calling this day “good”
is one of those “ironies” of our faith.
We celebrate with sadness the death
of Jesus. And it becomes good when
our sadness leads to insight, that
leads to repentance and then to our
salvation.
Indeed, “the stone the builders
rejected has become the cornerstone.”
Have an insightful Good Friday
everyone.
On the Second Sunday of Easter,
also known as Divine Mercy Sunday,
Pope Francis said that our relationship
with God is a personal one, filled with
his love and mercy, where we proclaim
like St. Thomas: “My Lord and my
God!”
“To enter into Jesus’ wounds is
to contemplate the boundless love
flowing from his heart. It is to realize
that his heart beats for me, for you,
for each one of us,” the pope said
April 8.
“Just like in a love story, we say to
God: ‘You became man for me, you
died and rose for me and thus you are
not only God; you are my God, you are
my life. In you I have found the love
that I was looking for, and much more
than I could ever have imagined.’”
Francis reflected on St. Thomas’
exclamation in the Gospel of John
during his homily for Mass for Divine
Mercy Sunday in St. Peter’s Square.
He pointed out that it may feel strange
at first to say “my Lord and my God.”
But he noted how God himself
said, at the beginning of the Ten
Commandments: “I am the Lord
your God,” showing that he desires a
personal relationship with each one of
us, to be possessed by us, just like a
jealous lover.
The Mass also marked the start
of an April 8-11 meeting in Rome
of some 600 Missionaries of Mercy,
who were first commissioned on Ash
Wednesday 2016 during the Jubilee
of Mercy. Their mandate was extended
by Pope Francis