Dr. Fr. Davis George
It has been rightly said by Mazinni “A person may die, but
the truth implanted by him can never die.” History bears a testimony to
the indisputable powers of non violence and truth. There have been many
people who have endured great suffering and pain and emerged victorious in
life. Lives of great people would bear testimony to the courage of
conviction and willingness to pay the price for the same. Such people
live on in the minds and hearts of people. Their example motivates and
inspires others to take the road less traveled. And yet stories of
hatred, violence, despair and destruction loom large in the news
headlines. Confronted with problems, pain, unjust suffering and
challenging situations, farmers, students, couples and others often take the
short cut of ending their lives. Suicide, murder, violence seem to take
the upper hand. Some people think that might is right and muscle
power can settle scores. Endurance and perseverance often take a back
seat.
It is in this context we must reflect on the crucifixion and
death of Christ on Good Friday. A man who went around doing good, who
made the lame walk, the lepers clean, the deaf hear and the dump speak was
accused and condemned due to vested interests, by religious leaders of his time
who could not face the light of truth as propounded by Jesus of Nazareth.
Those who believed in religious fundamentalism, who never practiced what they
preached, who only practiced piety to get appreciation and approval those who
ignored the cries of the poor, fabricated cases against the innocent Messiah
and felt victories in his physical death. This very act paved the way for
eternal life; Jesus destroyed death by dying on the cross and confirmed eternal
life for humanity by rising from the dead on the third day.
Christ’s death on the cross signified the victory of love
over hatred and cruelty. The Roman soldiers had spears and swords and
their hatred towards him would culminate in his death on the cross. But their
hatred and cruelty received only one response – forgiveness. All through
Jesus’s life there have been two great approaches to life, one against the
other. On the one side was hatred and on the other was love. They
beat him with a whip until his back was an open wound. They drove nails
through his hands and suspended him upon a cross. All day long the battle
raged. Hate surrounded him on all sides. But love upheld
him. When the battle was over, hate lay beaten in the dust.
Christ’s non-violence represents the impotence of hatred when confronted
by the power of love.
The cross is also a symbol of faith’s victory over cynicism
and despair. Many of us, unfortunately, seldom recognize this hidden
conflict. We have given up searching for the meaning of life or
contemplating over its apparent absurdities. We are too busy with the mundane.
Fortunately, for the most part, life treats us reasonably well on the
surface. But this is not true of all people. Many have more
than their share of tragedy. The pain and injustice that they see on
every side cause them to lose all faith in God and in life. If ever there
was a person who had the right to doubt God, and to despair of the human race,
and to become cynical about life, that person was Jesus. But listen to
him as he prays for his persecutors, “Father forgive them, they know not what
they are doing.” Listen to him as he tells a dying thief that they will
be together in paradise. Listen to him as he says, “Father, into your
hands I commit my spirit.” Through all the injustice and pain, his faith
in goodness and justice did not fail. He kept on believing in God, he
kept on believing in people, believing in life. At Calvary, Faith won a
resounding victory over cynicism and despair.
Finally, the Cross represents the victory of non-victory
over force. Jesus looked so weak on that cross that day. He had no
sword and no spear, and not even one soldier on his side. All his kith
and kin were onlookers from afar. The only thing he could do was to pray to
seek forgiveness for his enemies and then die. The world had never
witnessed a more pitiful display of willful helplessness than that.
Though he could, he did not call a battalion of angels to come to his
defense. He simply died. For some time it simply seemed that
violence was the victor. But two thousand years later, we commemorate not
the military might, but a man who died on the cross. That apparent defeat
at Calvary has turned out to be the greatest victory of all time.
It has given Jesus an unparalleled place in history.
Without striking a blow, he has conquered more hearts and changed more minds
and inspired more deeds than Caesar’s soldiers ever dreamed.
Mahatma Gandhi applied the power of non violence to
political situation on a mass scale against the strongest colonial power and
then established that non violence is the weapon of the strong and not the
weak. He often spoke of soul force and brute force. Gandhi said,
“An eye for an eye will make both blind.” Though non violence and
truth, Mahatmas Gandhi could bring political freedom tour country and at the
same time he dreamed for a greater freedom of the spirit.” The non
violent suffering of our countrymen reminded us that the Cross really is a
symbol of victory. It is not strange that on Good Friday we celebrate
faith rather than doubt. Two thousand years have passed that only
non-violence can combat and defeat brute force. Do we dare to believe
it? But what is more important, do we dare to try it?
Dr.
Fr. Davis George
Terror
struck again of the fateful 26/11.
Innocent people were killed; brave police officers became martyr for the
nation. The entire country was paralyzed
and terror stricken. In an encounter
with the police at Girgaum Chopatty, Ajmal Kasab, the lone surviving terrorist
in the attacks, was caught injured and is still in police custody. Though he has confessed his involvement in
the heinous crime and the entire country judging and awaiting for his death,
still he has not been given the deserving punishment. A terrorist caught in the act of crime. But what is the verdict?
Jesus
was found guilty by the High Priest, scribes, Pharisees and the unruly crowd
during his life-time, gave the verdict that he is guilty and must die. Guilty of what? Guilty of telling he is the Son of God and
the Messiah. Guilty of telling them he
has to suffer and die for the sins committed by others.
Guilty
of healing people on a Sabbath day, guilty of giving hope and life to those who
live in darkness of sin and death, guilty of going about doing good, guilty of
criticism outward show of religion, guilty of showing that God is their loving
father and they in turn are brothers and sisters, guilty of telling that He is
the way, the truth and life, guilty of telling that even after crucification
and death, He will rise again on the third day.
What a paradox of life, God who came not to condemn the world but to
save the world, has been condemned and crucified just like any other criminal
of his time. Jesus said, “The Son of Man
did not came to be saved, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for
many. For Christ died for sins once for
all, the righteous for the unrighteous.”
Mel
Gibson’s movie, The Passion of Christ, in some ways represents the very heart
of Christianity – the voluntary, substitutionary and propitiatory death of
Jesus Christ. Gibson did not find any
meaning in worldly riches and fame. He
became an addict of drugs and alcohol and even contemplated committing
suicide. Then he reportedly turned to
the Bible and found purpose and meaning in Jesus Christ.
The
big question is not ‘Who crucified Christ’; it is ‘Why Jesus was
crucified’. The answer this movie
provides us is, as Gibson himself reported to Diane Sawyer of ABC, “He was
pierced for our transgressions, and he was wounded and we are healed”. (Is
53:5).
Jesus
Christ died for our sins. He did not
defend himself, Isaiah 53:7-9 speaks about the silent suffering servant of the
Lord. Verse 7 can be translated this
way, “Though He was oppressed, He was submissive and did not open His mouth.”
He
submitted to being arrested, mocked, spat upon beaten, stripped, struck down,
forced to carry His own cross, and crucified.
The question we must ask is about the nature of his response.
Isaiah
says, “He did not open his mouth”. Why
did he not protest his great injustice?
Why did he not open his mouth and defend himself? Why did he strand there and take all this
abuse submissively?
Even
Jeremiah, the great prophet protested.
Even Mahatma Gandhi called for non-violent resistance. But Jesus Christ offered no resistance at
all, violent or non-violent. The gospel
accounts tell us that He did not defend himself before Annas, Capiaphas, the
Sanhedrin, Herod Antipas, or the Roman governor Pilate.
In
Mt.27:12-14 we read, “When He was accused by the chief priests and the elders,
He gave no answer. Then Pilate asked
him, ‘Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?’ But Jesus
made no reply, not even to a single charge to the great amazement of the
governor.” Isaah predicted this
non-defensive and non-complaining attitude of the suffering servant.
“Seven
hundred years before the birth of Christ, He will not shout or cry out, or
raise his voice in the streets. A
bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff
out. In faithfulness he will bring
forth justice.” (Is 42:2-3).
“The
Sovereign Lord has opened my ears, and I have not been rebellious; I have not
drawn back. I offered my back to those
who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my break; I did not hide my face
from mocking and spitting.” (Is 50:5-7)
Then
those who had seized Jesus led him to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the
scribes and the elders had gathered.
They sought false testimony against him.
Two came forward and said, “This
fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build in three
days.” And the high priest said to him,
“I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of
God.”
Jesus
said to him, “You have said so. But I
tell you; hereafter you will see the son of an sated at the right hand of
power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
Then
the high priest tore his robes, and said, “He has uttered blasphemy. Why do we still need witnesses? You have heard his blasphemy. What is your judgment?’
They
answered, “He deserved death.” Then they
spat on his face, and struck him; and some slapped him, later they shouted
again and again, “Let him be crucified.”
(Mt. 56:57-68).
Then
the soldiers of the governor took Jesus in to the practorium, and they gathered
the whole battalion before him. And they
stripped him and put a scarlet robe upon him, and plaiting a crown of thorns
they put it on his head, and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him they mocked him
saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”
And
when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe, and put his own
clothes on him, and led him away to crucify him. And those who passed by derided him, wagging
their heads and saying, “you who would destroy the temple and built it in three
days, save yourself! If you are the Son
of God, come down from the cross.”
So
also the chief priest, with the scribes and elders, mocked him saying, “He
saved others; he cannot save himself. He
is the king of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will
believe in him. Jesus could have come
down from the cross and saved himself.
But then, he would not have been Savior of the world.
After
forty days of fasting as He came out of the desert, the tempter came and said
to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to became loaves of
bread.”
Jesus
did not succumb to playing to the gallery and taking short cuts. Jesus, thus, followed the eternal plan of
salvation and showed the unconditional love of God.”
While
we were yet helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Why, one will hardly die for a righteous
man-though perhaps for a good man one will dare even to die. “Bust God show his love for us in than while
we were yet sinners Christ died for us.”
(Rom 5:6-8). And yet, he was
found guilty of death. What a paradox?
Jesus
did not come to condemn the world but to save the world (Jn 3:16-17). He did not condemn the women caught in
adultery but showed His compassion and forgiveness. Jesus visited the house of Zachaeous which
made the latter repent and change his life.
Mathew the tax collector detested by others, was chosen as his apostle.
The
repentant thief who sought forgiveness was promised heaven while dying on the
cross. On the cross Jesus prayed for
forgiveness for those who were persecuting him.
All those who touched him in faith were healed. All those who encountered him were
transformed.
His
life, suffering death and resurrection changed the history of the world. By dying on the cross, Jesus destroyed death
and by rising from the death on the third day.
He established that He is the resurrection and the life and that those
believe in Him shall gain eternal life.”
Because
He lives, I can face tomorrow. Because
He lives, all fear is gone. Because I know
He holds the future, my life is worth the living just because He lives.”
Dr. Fr. Davis George
In the first week of February 2011 a group of us visited
the Holy Land. We saw the place where Jesus was born, places where he
worked miracles, the Synagogue where he taught, the Sea of Galilee where he
walked, Mount Tabor where Jesus was transfigured, Gethsemane
where his sweat became blood while praying,
and Mount Calvary where he was crucified on the cross. It
was very touching and heart -breaking. We were taken to a pit where he
was kept the whole night as if he was a dreaded criminal. Centuries before the
birth and death of the Messiah it was written, “I am reckoned among those who
go down to the Pit; I am a man who has no strength, like one forsaken among the
dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, like those whom thou dost remember
no more, for they are cut off from thy hand. Thou hast put me in the depths of
the Pit, in the regions dark and deep…. I am shut in so that I cannot escape;
my eye grows dim through sorrow” (Ps 88: 4-9). What a paradox: the Creator of
the world at the mercy of his own creation; what a cost he had to pay for the
salvation of human kind, “Although he was in the form of God, a thing to be
grasped he emptied himself and became a human being” (Phil 2:1). He gave
up all his heavenly prerogatives and identified himself with sinners so much so
that he was taken as a sinner. And yet, he was treated like a criminal and
crucified on the cross on Good Friday. The Bible tells us that they put a crown
of thorns on him, struck him on his head and spat upon him ,
laughed at him and, humiliated him publicly; made him carry the cross,
torturing him at every step. Centuries before the birth of Christ prophet
Isaiah had prophesied about the birth and death of the Messiah, that he would
be a suffering servant and will die a shameful death for the salvation of human
kind. It is written in the Bible “Ours were the sufferings he bore, ours the
sorrows he carried. But , we thought of him as someone punished, struck by God
and brought low. He was pierced through for our faults, crushed for our sins.
On him lies a punishment that brings us peace, and through his wounds we are
healed” (Is 53:4-5). But why an innocent man had to die like this?
In the beginning of the ministry of Jesus, Jesus was tempted
by the devil to give up the way of the cross and obey the designs of the devil.
He was asked to make use of his divine powers and take short cut to achieve his
mission in life. He was asked to disobey his Father’s plan of saving the world.
Jesus’ answer was an emphatic no to the devil and his allurements (Mt
4:1-10). Jesus fed five thousand people with five loaves and two fish and
people wanted to immediately make him a king, who can wield political power.
Very poignantly it is recorded, “Perceiving then that they were about to come
and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the hills by
himself” (Jn 6:15). Again Jesus refused to disobey his fathers plan for him.
Jesus told his disciples many times that he must go to Jerusalem and
suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be
killed, and on the third day be raised from the dead. Peter did not want this
to happen to his Master. Jesus rebuked him saying, “Get behind me Satan! You
are a hindrance to me; for you are not on the side of God, but of men” (Mt
16:23). While dying on the cross, he was challenged to come down from the cross
and prove that he is Christ (Mk 15:30-32). Jesus opted to obey his Father and
his plan of saving the world. How true, he made himself obedient unto death,
even death on the cross (Phil 2:8). It was not easy for him to obey and accept
such humiliation and mental and physical torture. In
the garden of Gethsemane he cried out and prayed, “Abba,
Father, all things are possible to thee; remove this cup from me; yet not what
I will, but what thou wilt” (Mk 14:36). The human face of the only begotten son
of God is seen in the following words from the scripture: “In the day of his
flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplication, with loud cries and tears, to
him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard for his godly fear.
Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered” (Heb
5:7-8). Jesus’ only aim was to accomplish his Father’s will and do always what
is pleasing to him (Jn. 8:29).
On Good Friday we look at the cross and try to experience
the power in the cross. The doctrine of the cross is sheer folly to those on
their way to ruin, but to us who are on the way to salvation it is the power of
God…. Jews call for miracles, Greeks for wisdom. But we proclaim Christ- yes,
Christ nailed to the cross…. He is the power of God and the wisdom of God (1Cor
1:18-24). On the cross we see how Jesus emptied himself of the divine
prerogatives which was certainly his due, but made himself obedient, yes even
death on a cross. Adam disobeyed God and sin entered the world; Jesus
obeyed his father and salvation was brought to all humanity. Jesus made
obedience and accomplishing his father’s will the central part of his teaching.
In uncompromising terms Jesus said that whoever does the will of my Father in heaven
is my brother, sister and mother (Mt 12:50).
Knowing Christ costs nothing; but obeying him costs
everything. It is easy to go on a pilgrimage, but difficult to obey Him. Going
to the Holy Land costs only money but obeying him costs everything.
Taking part in Mass and other pious devotions cost nothing but obeying him
costs everything. Are we here on this Good Friday to know more about
Christ or to listen to his words and obey him? The crucified Lord who is alive
in our midst, tells us to obey him; it is said that obedience is better than
sacrifice. In our moments of prayer, when we listen and reflect on the
Scripture, he continues to speak to us: Forgive your enemies; forgive your
wife, your husband, your children your parents, and, anyone who has hurt you.
Do we obey him? He tells us to overcome evil with good; bless those who
persecute you. Do we obey or indulge in retaliation. Knowing Christ costs
nothing, obeying him costs everything. He tells us to be humble and serve one
another with love. But we are prone to do this only according to our likes. He
tells us not to be mere listeners of the Word but doers of the Word. He tells
us to deny ourselves, take up the cross daily and follow him. Do we obey? He
tells us to worship him in spirit and in truth and not just mumble meaningless
words. Do we obey?
On Good Friday we see the meaning of obedience. Abraham
obeyed and followed his commandments and was even ready to sacrifice his only
son. Mary obeyed God and followed her son till the last. We want children to
obey parents; students- teachers; wife- husband; husband – wife. And yet, we
don’t want to obey God. Salvation is in obedience. Obedience is the
foundation of faith. Obedience is the response to love. That is what we see on
the Cross. The Holy Spirit is given to those who obey Him (Acts 5:32). Prayers
are heard because we obey his commandments. On this Good Friday let us not do
lips service. Let us surrender our lives and make a decision and commitment to
obey him. Knowing Christ costs nothing; obeying him costs everything.
During
World War II planes used to land in make shift air strips and as soon as they
land they would be taken to place of safety which even the pilots did not know.
As soon as the plane stops a small vehicle comes on which was written follow
me and the vehicle would pull the plane to safety. In the same way in
our life’s battle field only Jesus can take us to place of safety and security,
peace and contentment, healing and salvation provided we obey Him, take up our
cross daily and follow Him.
Dr. Fr. Davis
George
It was three
o’clock. Jesus called for water. He could hardly speak. A soldier fixed a
sponge on a spear and held it up to his lips. It was terribly bitter but it was
enough. He strained to raise his head and look up to heaven. "It is
finished," he cried and then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. The
words of Jesus from the cross were not the words of a “victim” but the shouts
of a “victor”! He did not say “I am finished”! He said, “It is finished!” It is
like the cry of one who comes first in 400 meters run at the Olympics and gets
the gold medal. I have made it.
At the time, the
moment was filled with too much emotion for those words to sink in and to
ponder what they meant. But later as the early Christians read John’s Gospel
and heard again those words, it dawned on them just how powerful these dying
words of Jesus were. John wrote his Gospel in Greek, and those last words of
Jesus are just one word in Greek – tetelestai (pronounced te-tel-es-sty).
The expression
"It is finished" or tetelestai was well known to them. It was a part
of everyday language. When a servant had completed a difficult job that his
master had given him to do, he would say to the master – tetelestai - "I
have overcome all the difficulties; I have done the job to the best of my
ability. It is finished". When the Jewish people went to the temple with
their sacrifice, the High Priest would examine what was brought. Most likely,
he didn’t speak Greek but he would use the Hebrew equivalent of tetelestai –
meaning, "Your offering is accepted; it is perfect". When an artist
had finished a painting or a sculpture he would stand back and say, tetelestai
– it is finished; there is nothing more that can be done to make this piece of
art any better. This painting is complete.
All those who
heard the word tetelestai understood
that Jesus is saying that his job of saving the world has been completed. He
has finished the task and nothing can be added to what has been done. Jesus has
paid the price in full – he has cancelled all debt. His sacrifice has been a
perfect one, acceptable to the heavenly Father who, looking down on his Son
hanging lifelessly from the cross, said, "Well done, this is my dear Son
with whom I am well pleased". Tetelestai – it is finished. Everything is
complete!
What is it that
is finished when Jesus says, "It is finished"?
Reconciliation
is accomplished. Reconciliation between God and sinful human beings who had
gone away from his love. By his cross he was reconciling the world unto
himself. (2 Cor 5:19) A terrible gap has come between God and all humanity
caused by sin and evil. God created a perfect beautiful world and he made
people to live in harmony and peace with one another. But look what’s happened.
We all know what an effect our poorly chosen words and lack of consideration
have on our relationship with family members and friends. Greed and selfishness
destroy friendship and separate people and nations. Sin has a devastating
effect on our relationship with God. Sin separates us from God and if we want
to have any hope of going to heaven to be with God, then someone had to deal
with sin and restore our relationship with God. So God sent his Son into the
world for this very purpose.
Jesus died on the
cross to get rid of the power of sin and wages of sin which is death. His death
bridged the deep gulf between God and us. "Salvation is accomplished",
Jesus cried. The restoration of the friendship between God and humanity has
been finished. The task for which God's Son came to earth has been completed.
He has won forgiveness for all people. Nothing else needs to be done. Salvation
is complete. "It is finished".
That’s why we
call today "Good Friday". It certainly wasn’t a good day for Jesus.
He endured pain, soul-wrenching agony, hanging by the nails in his hands for
hours, death on a rough wooden cross, for our sake. We call today "Good
Friday" because the cross is proof of the powerful love that God has for
each of us. No one, not even God, would do something like that unless he truly
loved us. Here we see a love that was prepared to endure the ultimate in order
to rescue us.
There is the
story of priest who offered his life in place of a teenage boy in Nazi Germany.
(Saint Maximilian Maria Kolbe, volunteered to die in place of a teenage boy
whom he did not know in the Nazi German death camp of Auschwitz, World War II.) His offer was accepted and the priest died to
save the boy’s life.
And then there
was the young soldier who had been condemned to death by Oliver Cromwell. He
was to be shot at the ringing of the curfew bell. His fiancée climbed the bell
tower and tied herself to the clapper of the giant bell so that it would not
ring. When the bell did not ring, soldiers went to investigate and found the
girl battered and bleeding from being bashed against the sides of the bell.
Cromwell was so impressed by her love for the young man that he was pardoned.
Because of love,
people do extraordinary things for others. Paul writes, "God has shown us
how much he loves us—it was while we were still sinners that Christ died for
us! … We were God's enemies, but he made us his friends through the death of
his Son." (Romans 5:8,10). That’s how much God loves us – Jesus died for
us even though we don’t deserve it. His death has made us God's friends.
Jesus'
announcement, "It is finished" is clear and simple. Jesus has
completed his task. The reason why he came as a human has been fulfilled. He
came so that you and I can have forgiveness and salvation. He came to give us
the victory. He came to ensure that we would enter his kingdom and live
forever.
Invitation and Challenge
The cross of
Jesus was far more than death, suffering and blood. The cross of Jesus was a
place of testimony. It was here that God made His greatest declaration of love
for lost humanity, (Rom. 5:8; 1 John 4:9-10). Christ’s greatest work was
accomplished on the cross. When He raised Lazarus from the dead, He helped one
man and his family. When He healed the lepers; delivered the demoniacs; opened
the blind eyes and healed diseased, twisted bodies; He was helping one person
and one family at a time. When He fed the 5,000 thousand, He helped 5,000 men
plus women and children. But, when He died on the cross, Jesus was making a
difference for every member of Adam’s family who would look to Him by faith. It
wasn’t just one man; but it was “whosoever will”, (Rom. 10:13; Rev. 22:17). He
could have saved Himself, but He stayed on the cross to save sinners!
What is the cross of Jesus to
you? Is it merely a piece of jewelry? Is it just a religious symbol? Is it a
talisman(of course we don't believe in this) you hang over your bed to keep the
devil away? Is it pure foolishness? Or, is the cross the “power of God unto
salvation”? If you will heed the message of the cross, you will find that
salvation is still available. You will find that God can still save souls;
change eternal destinies and transform sinners into saints of God. (“The Old
Rugged Cross”)
Dr. Fr. Davis George
A wealthy man and his son loved
to collect rare works of art. They had everything in their collection, from
Picasso to Raphael. They would often sit together and admire the great works of
art. When the Vietnam conflicts broke out, the son went to war. He was very
courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier. The father was
notified and grieved deeply for his only son. About a month later, just before
Christmas, there was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large
package in his hands. He said, “Sir,
you don’t know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He
saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet
struck him in the heart and he died instantly. He often talked about you, and
your love for art.’ The young man held out this package. ‘I know this isn’t
much. I’m not really a great artist, but think your son would have wanted you
to have this.’
The father opened the package. It
was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the
way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The
father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay
him for the picture. ‘Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me.
It’s a gift.’ The father hung the
portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came to his home he took them to
see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works
he had collected. The man died a few
months later. Thereafter a great auction of his paintings was held. Many
influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having
an opportunity to purchase one for their collection. On the platform where the
painting of the son was on display, the auctioneer pounded his gavel. ‘We will
start the bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid for this picture?’
There was silence. Then a voice at the back of the room shouted, ‘We want to
see the famous paintings. Skip this one.’ But the auctioneer persisted. ‘Will
somebody bid for this painting. Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?’
Another voice cried angrily. ‘We didn’t come to see this painting.
We came to see the Van Gogh’s,
the Rembrandt’s. Get on with the real bids!’ But still the auctioneer
continued. ‘The son! The son! Who’ll take the son?’ Finally, a voice came from the very back of
the room. It was the longtime gardener of the man and his son. ‘I’ II give $10
for the painting.’ Being a poor man, it was all he could afford. ‘We have $10,
who will bid $20?’ The crowd was becoming angry. They didn’t want the picture
of the son. They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections. The
auctioneer pounded the gavel. ‘Going once, twice, SOLD for $10!’ A man sitting
on the second row shouted, ‘Now let’s get on with the collection!’ The
auctioneer laid down his gavel. ‘I’ am sorry, the auction is over.’ ‘What about
the paintings?’ ‘I am sorry, when I was called to conduct this auction; I was
not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this moment. Only the painting of
the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the
entire estate, including the paintings. The man who takes the son gets
everything!’
God gave His son 2,000 years ago
to die on the cross. Much like the auctioneer, His message today is: ‘the son! The
son! Who’ll take the son?’ Because, you see, whoever takes the Son gets
everything. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever
believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to
condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.” (John 3:16-17) He loved them to the end. (John 13:1)
Someone asked Jesus, “How much do
you love me? He stressed out his hands
on the Cross and said “this much”. How
true, “While we were yet helpless, at the right time Christ died for the
ungodly. Why, one will hardly die for a
righteous man-though perhaps for a good man one will dare even to die. But God shows his love for us in that while
we were yet sinners Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:6-8)
On Good Friday, God manifested
his unconditional love for human kind. It is only on the cross that we see the face of God. We
look at the sun and see the energy of God. We look at the stars and see the
infinity of God. We look at the atom and see the complexity of God. But it is
only on the cross that we see the face of God’s love. It is only on the cross that we see a love so
great that God was willing to die for me. It is only on the cross that we hear
the statement, “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for
one’s friends” (John 15: 13).
Dr. Fr. Davis George
On
Good Friday we recall Jesus’ journey along the way of the cross: a journey
seemingly hopeless, yet one that changed human life and history, and opened the
way to “new heavens and a new earth” (cf. Rev 21:1). Christians all over the
world commemorates with deep spiritual union the death of the Son of God on the
cross; in his cross we see the tree of life, which blossoms in new hope.
The
experience of suffering and of the cross touches all mankind; it touches the
family too. How often does the journey become wearisome and difficult!
Misunderstandings, conflicts, worry for the future of our children, sickness
and problems of every kind. These days too, the situation of many families is
made worse by the threat of unemployment and other negative effects of the
economic crisis. The Way of the Cross invites all of us, and families in
particular, to contemplate Christ crucified in order to have the force to
overcome difficulties. The cross of Christ is the supreme sign of God’s love
for every man and woman, the superabundant response to every person’s need for
love. At times of trouble, when our families have to face pain and adversity,
let us look to Christ’s cross. There we can find the courage and strength to
press on; there we can repeat with firm hope the words of Saint Paul: “Who will
separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or
persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? … No, in all these
things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Rom 8:35, 37).
In
times of trial and tribulation, we are not alone; the family is not alone.
Jesus is present with his love, he sustains them by his grace and grants the
strength needed to carry on, to make sacrifices and to overcome every obstacle.
And it is to this love of Christ that we must turn when human turmoil and
difficulties threaten the unity of our lives and our families. The mystery of
Christ’s suffering, death and resurrection inspires us to go on in hope: times
of trouble and testing, when endured with Christ, with faith in him, already
contain the light of the resurrection, the new life of a world reborn, the
Passover of all those who believe in his word.
In
that crucified Man who is the Son of God, even death itself takes on new
meaning and purpose: it is redeemed and overcome, it becomes a passage to new
life. “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a
single grain; but if it dies, it produces much fruit” (Jn 12:24).
Dr. Fr. Davis George
Jesus came to
manifest the invisible face of God. He made the real name of God known that is
Mercy and real face of God that is Mercy. From Incarnation to Crucifixion
he went about revealing the invisible face of God, manifesting the real power
of God, mercy. To include the excluded, to reach to the periphery and proclaim
the joy of the Gospel he spent his life and died on the cross. I have come not
to condemn the world but to redeem the world, he said. It is not the healthy
who need a doctor but the sick. Neither do I condemn you he told the
bewildered woman caught in adultery. Who has not sinned, failed, fumbled,
faltered and fallen? Let him throw the first stone who has not sinned.
“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, but they are
now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ
Jesus, whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective
through faith in his blood… He justifies the one who has faith in Jesus” (Rom
3:23-26).
Pope Francis has
been urging the Church, and the world at large, to “get out of ourselves and go
toward the periphery.” Jesus commanded his disciples to “Go into the whole
world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature” (Mk 16:15). These last words
of Jesus to his disciples urge them (and us) to “get out of themselves
(ourselves) and go to the periphery.” Self sufficiency and indifference
can be killing others.
Where do we find the
periphery? The dictionary definition of periphery is “the outside edge of an
area or the area that surrounds a place or thing.” Pope Francis is referring to
those areas that contain people who are social outcasts, on the “margins” of
social acceptability, as being “the periphery.” He admonishes us to step
outside of our comfort zones (another of Pope Francis’s frequent expressions)
and to open our hearts to others, especially those who have been rejected by
society.
In the Gospels,
Samaritans are clearly “on the periphery” of Jewish society. So are lepers and
those caught in sins such as adultery. As we read in St. Matthew’s Gospel,
“While he was at table in his [Levi’s/Matthew’s] house, many tax collectors and
sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples. The Pharisees saw this and
said to his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and
sinners?’ He heard this and said, ‘Those who are well do not need a physician,
but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, “I desire mercy, not
sacrifice. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners” ’ ” (Mt 9: 10–13).
In other words, the
periphery is not confined to geography or social, economic or legal status or
to our religious or political points of view. Anyone who is different from us
stands outside our comfort zone. Getting outside ourselves and going to the periphery
can mean any effort to reach out to others with compassion and understanding.
It does not mean that we abandon our beliefs, principles or way of life. But it
does mean that we open ourselves to those who are different from us and, in so
doing, share with them the good news that all are loved by God and redeemed in
Christ.
In his homily at
Lampedusa, a large island near Sicily that has witnessed the tragic drowning of
hundreds of African refugees attempting to find asylum in Italy, Pope Francis
lamented what he called the anesthesia of the heart. “We are a society which
has forgotten how to weep, how to experience compassion for [suffering with]
others; the globalization of indifference has taken from us the ability to
weep!” “Anesthesia of the heart” is not a Christian virtue. As we celebrate the
Ascension of the Lord, let’s recommit ourselves to obeying Jesus’ command.
Let’s go out of our comfort zones into the whole world, including the
periphery, to proclaim his Good News!
We have the
opportunity to make, on this Good Friday, the most important decision of our
lives, one that opens wide before us the doors of eternity: to believe! To
believe that "Jesus died for our sins and rose again for our
justification" (Rom 4:25)! And we all have been commissioned to proclaim
the joy of the Gospel that God loves the world unconditionally. Incarnation and
crucifixion show the invisible face of the merciful God. Our challenge today:
be merciful like the Father - reach out, touch and heal the broken world.
Dr.
Fr. Davis George
On
a dark Friday two thousand years ago, Jesus of Nazareth was crucified. Powerful
members of the religious, political, and military communities colluded to strip
him naked, mock him publicly, and crucify him. What is Good Friday and why do we call Good Friday “good,” when
it is such a dark, bleak and painful event commemorating a day of suffering and
death of Jesus?
Good
Friday is a crucial day of the year because it celebrates the most momentous
weekend in the history of the world. Ever since Jesus died and was raised,
Christians have proclaimed the cross and resurrection of Jesus to be the
decisive turning point for all creation. Paul considered it to be “of first
importance” that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and was raised to life on
the third day, all in accordance with what God had promised all along in the
Scriptures (1 Cor 15:3). Paul said, “We preach Christ the crucified…Christ the
power of God and the wisdom of God.” (1 Cor 1:22) Cross has been the source of
strength, consolation and salvation to all those who endure suffering and face
challenges of life.
On
Good Friday we remember the day Jesus willingly suffered and died by
crucifixion as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins (1 Jn 1:10). It is followed by Easter, the glorious celebration of the
day Jesus was raised from the dead, heralding his victory over sin and death
and pointing ahead to a future resurrection for all who are united to him by
faith (Rom 6:5).
1. Cross manifests the unconditional
love and forgiveness of God.
As it is written, “While we were yet
helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Why, one will hardly
die for a righteous man- though perhaps for a good man one will dare to die.
But, God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died
for us.”(Rom5:6-8) Again we read, “For God so loved the world that he
gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but
have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the
world, but to save the world through him.” (Jn 3:16-17) How true, “No greater love has no man
than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (Jn 15:13)
Before the Cross of Jesus, we apprehend in a way that we can
almost touch with our hands how much we are eternally loved; before the Cross
we feel that we are “children” and not “things” or “objects”. We were
ransomed not with silver and gold but with the precious blood of the Lamb
because we were created in his own image and likeness.
2. On the
cross, Jesus suffered so that we would not have to suffer.
There
is an inborn tendency to sin in every person. Like Adam and Eve, we refuse to
recognize God as God and we break his law repeatedly. To atone for our sins he
took on a human body and came to earth as Jesus. He lived the sinless life that
we should have lived, and died the death that we deserve to die. That is why
the apostle Paul declared that “there is therefore now no condemnation for
those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom 8:1).
Pope Francis said that God placed on Jesus’ Cross all the weight
of our sins, all the injustices perpetrated by every Cain against his brother,
all the bitterness of the betrayal by Judas and denial by Peter, all the vanity
of tyrants, all the arrogance of false friends. It was a heavy Cross, like
night experienced by abandoned people, heavy like the death of loved ones,
heavy because it carries all the ugliness of evil. However, the Cross is also
glorious like the dawn after a long night, for it represents all the love of
God, which is greater than our iniquities and our betrayals. In the Cross we
see the monstrosity of man, when he allows evil to guide him; but we also see
the immensity of the mercy of God, who does not treat us according to our sins
but according to his mercy.
3.
Through the cross, we can be reconciled to God and each other.
Because
of our sins, we alienate ourselves from God and others, but Jesus saves us from
our sins in order to mend those relationships. That is why the Bible says, “For
it pleased the Father to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether
things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His
cross” (Col 1:19-20). In fact, Jesus’ reconciling powers will cause all
relational barriers to be torn down, including the barriers of ethnicity and
nationality (Rev 5:9-10). Today the world is torn by egoism, self
aggrandizement, pride, self righteousness, arrogance, political hegemony. We
need reconciliation and forgiveness and build a civilization of love. That is
what Jesus did on the cross. All his life he went about doing good; made the
lame walk, lepers clean, deaf hear, the dumb speak and even the dead were
brought back to life. He worked relentlessly for an inclusive society and paid
the price for it on the cross.
4.
Because of the cross and resurrection, we have hope for the future.
The
Bible connects Jesus’ crucifixion with his resurrection. After Jesus suffered
on the cross, he was buried, but on the third day he rose from the grave! When
he rose from the dead, he not only confirmed his divinity but declared that he
would return one day to make things right. He will return to disestablish evil,
sin, and death from their artificial throne, and establish himself as the true
King over a kingdom characterized by justice, peace, and love (Rev 21-22). The Bible
teaches that he alone can save (Acts 4:12) and that there is no sinner too bad
for him to save (1 Tim 1:15).
Good
Friday is a day to surrender our lives to Jesus who shed his blood that we may
have life eternal. Someone asked Jesus “how much do you love me?” Jesus
stretched out his arms on the cross and said “This much,” and died. Incredible
and amazing love. Unfathomable self sacrifice.
CHRISTMAS MESSAGE
- CHRISTMAS: TRANSFORMING PRESENCE OF A TENDER GOD IN HUMAN HISTORY
- DO NOT MISS GOD’S VISITATION AT THIS CHRISTMAS
- JESUS: THE MANIFESTATION OF GOD’S MERCIFUL LOVE
- CHRISTMAS :THE GIFT OF HIS SON
- JESUS: THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD - TAMASOMA JYOTIRGAMAYA
- THE CHRISTMAS MIRACLE EMMAMUEL , GOD IS WITH US
- CHRISTMAS:BEHOLD THE DWELLING OF GOD IS WITH MEN
- CHRISTMAS MESSAGE - THE LONGEST JOURNEY
- WHAT LANGUAGE DOES GOD SPEAK?
- WHAT DOES CHRISTMAS MEANS FOR YOU
- THE WONDER AND THE CHALLENGES OF CHRISTMAS
- JESUS CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR LIFE
CHINTAN
ARTICLE PUBLISHED IN BOOK
- Contemporary Relevance of Gandhi and Gandhian Thought 17.5.2017)
- Motivation – Key to Quality Enhancement
- Science And Religion to unfold the mystery of creation (17.5.2017)
- Autonomy in Higher Education Prospects and Challenges
- Mentoring Paradigm Shift in Academic Leadership
- Ecological Stewardship The Biblical Perspective (17.5.2017)
EDUCATION & LEADERSHIP
- Learning is the Key to Transformation
- Globally Competitive Education: The need for Enlightened leadership and System
- Science and Religion: To unfold the mystery of creation
- Mentoring: Paradigm Shift in Academic Leadership
- Dynamics of Terrorism: The Gandhian Perspective
- Motivating and Mobilizing Your Staff
- Value Education: Prospects and Challenges
- Steps for Quality Enhancement and Sustenance in Higher Education
- What Makes a Leader?
- VALUE EDUCATION: BUILD THE PILLARS OF CHARACTER
- RELATIONSHIP IN SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION: PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES
- Improving Quality of Higher Education: Autonomy to Colleges, What Next?
- Best Practices - Quest and Response to Quality Enhancement
- Motivation: The key to performance enhancement
- Mentoring: An Effective Process of Empowerment
- Education for life - The Ultimate Gift
- Relationship in School Administration
- Abstract - Envisioning Change Prospects and Challenges
- Challenges of Catholic Schools in India
- Ecological Stewardship: The Biblical Perspective
- Autonomy in Higher Education: Prospects and Challenges
- Teachers as Educators: Prospectus and Challenges
- Soft Skills: The Key to Success
- Motivation – Key to Quality Enhancement
- Motivation: The Key to Success
- A book on “Ecological Spirituality: Cross Cultural Perspective' by Dr. Fr. Davis George and Fr. Valan Arasu
- Women Politics and Change in India
- Transforming Education through Information Technology
- Contemporary Relevance of Gandhi and Gandhian Thought
GOOD FRIDAY/EASTER MESSAGES
- INCREDIBLE EVENT OF GOOD FRIDAY
- WHATS SO GOOD ABOUT FRIDAY?
- INVISIBLE FACE OF GOD MADE VISIBLE
- DEATHS ITSELF TAKES ON NEW MEANING
- ULTIMATE AUCTION
- EVERYTHING IS COMPLETE
- GOOD FRIDAY MESSAGE: MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?
- JESUS MADE HIMSELF OBEDIENT
- HE IS GUILTY AND MUST DIE!
- CROSS VICTORY OVER HATRED DESPAIR
INTERVIEWS
SPIRITUAL
- “PRICILLA, AQUILLA AND PAUL' PAPER PRESENTED AND PUBLISHED AT ASIAN CONFERENCE HELD IN MANILA, PHILIPPINES FROM 7TH TO THE 12TH NOVEMBER 2005
- SPLENDOR AND CRISIS OF CREATION: THE BIBLICAL VISION
- THE CONCEPT OF THE “OTHER' IN CHRISTIANITY
WWME ARTICLES
- WWME: FATHERS IN LOVE, MOTHERS IN LOVE, FAMILIES IN LOVE
- WORLD WIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER: FATHERS IN LOVE, MOTHERS IN LOVE, FAMILIES IN LOVE.
- MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER: DISCOVER AND CELEBRATE YOUR RELATIONSHIP
POEMS
- UNLEASH THE POWER OF LOVE
- FLAMES OF THE FOREST
- MY PIGEONS ARE LIKE A LEGION
- ONE MAN WITH GOD IS ALWAYS IN MAJORITY
- FLOWERS BLOOM IN MY HEART
- IGNITE THE BIGGER DREAM
- HAVE EYES TO SEE THE INVISIBLE
- THE MIRACLE OF TRANSFORMATION
MISCELLANEOUS
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