Friday, February 15, 2013

Morning Psalms: 31 | Evening Psalm: 35
Deuteronomy 7:12-16 | Titus 2:1-15 | John 1:35-42

I was brought by an older friend to my first Via Crucis (Stations of the Cross) when I was just 10 years old. I remember standing that evening in a semi-dark, cavernous church as the priest came out, dressed in a black cassock and white surplice. He led us in some introductory prayers and then, with a booming voice, he exclaimed, “Jesus is condemned to die.” We then processed around the church from one station to the next, as we recalled in vivid detail the passion, death, and resurrection of Christ. I remember asking myself why I was following Jesus to his death. The drama of the passion re-enactment made me a first-hand witness of the tragedy. My own responses made me an accomplice and executioner. The knowledge that Jesus was dying for my sins brought guilt and shame. My inability to prevent Jesus’ death made me feel powerless. Lastly, the sadness and despair of the prayers left me utterly depressed and exhausted. I felt as though I was introduced to a friend, just in time to cast the last vote condemning him to death.

In today’s reading from John 1:35-42 Jesus invites Andrew to “come and see.” Andrew then brings his brother Simon Peter, saying, “We have found the Messiah.” In the Gospel of John, Andrew is the consummate witness who brings Peter, a young boy with a few loaves and fishes, and “some Greeks” to meet Jesus. Like my friend inviting me to the passion re-enactment, Andrew invites us today to “come and see” the Messiah who is God’s gift of salvation to a suffering world. I pray that once you come and see this Jesus, you will choose to follow Him. Let me caution you, however, following Jesus leaves no room for escapism. It requires that we face His cross head on. This cross is the instrument of the world’s redemption. There is no Christianity without the cross, even though we all prefer the joys of Easter Sunday over the anguish of Passion Friday. Following Jesus the next few weeks will require that we walk with Him to Calvary. We will see His anguish in the garden, we will join the crowds who call for His crucifixion, we will witness every strike of the whip and every slap to the face, and we will see Him die as a criminal.  In short, we will be reminded once again of God’s sacrificial love for sinners everywhere.

I pray that as you enter this holy season of Lent and prepare for the joys of Easter, you allow God’s Holy Spirit to lead you into a proper assessment of your life and guide you into whatever amendment of life He wishes for you this season. Amen!

The Rev. Roman Roldan (MDiv 2007, DMin Student)
Rector, Grace Episcopal Church
West Feliciana Parish, LA