It has often been remarked that the spotless Bride of Christ – the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church – must follow where Her Head has gone.
Over these past few days those of us who have been blessed with access to the ancient rites of that Church have seen the whole picture.
So where are we going?
He undertook rigorous fasting for love of us.
He entered into His bitter agony for love of us.
He sweat blood because He took upon Himself the weight of our sins for love of us.
He suffered the most viscous indignations for love of us.
He embraced – EMBRACED – His cross for love of us.
He stretched out His sacred Hands to let evil men drive nails through His palms for love of us.
He looked with most tender love upon His Most Holy Mother and willingly gave her to us for love of us.
“And bowing His Head, He gave up the ghost.”
For love of us.
Hearing those words on Friday broke my heart. Knowing that I have repeatedly hammered those nails and cracked those whips and shouted those insults, and spat upon Him… Knowing that He knows me better than I know myself and still embraced the cross!
But you know what He did next.
He descended into hell to claim His victory over sin and death and Satan for love of us.
She waited upon earth for Him and so deserves our most tender love for she never lost faith. She is truly the Mother of us all.
And then He broke the chains of death with the brightness of a million sons plus one! The soldiers fell as though dead at the sight of His angels. Magdalene, who embodied the love I hope to have for Him came to give proper care to His body in the grave out of love for Him. And the angel consoled her with his instruction.
“Fear not you: for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified: He is not here: for His is risen, as He said. Come and see the place where the Lord was laid. And going quickly, tell ye His disciples that He is risen: and behold He will go before you into Galilee: there you shall see Him. Lo, I have foretold it to you.”
Our Lord rose from death for love of us!!!
And now His Church, in terrifying eclipse (to borrow a phase from Ann Barnhardt) must also pass through Her suffering. But we know the end. Stay strong. Be like John and Magdalene. Remain at His cross. Turn to His – our – Mother.
The Lord is truly risen!
Alleluia!
Happy Easter Sunday!
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