Stogre, Michael J.

English

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The Linacre QuarterlyVolume 42 | Number 2 Article 14May 1975On Death and Dying With Christ: A Homily forGood FridayMichael J. StogreFollow this and additional works at: http://epublications.marquette.edu/lnqRecommended CitationStogre, Michael J. (1975) "On Death and Dying With Christ: A Homily for Good Friday," The Linacre Quarterly: Vol. 42: No. 2, Article14.Available at: http://epublications.marquette.edu/lnq/vol42/iss2/14On Death and Dying With Christ: A Homily for Good Friday Christ died our death so that we might die his death. Such is the meaning and message of to-day's liturgy. In death one's humanity and mortality are revealed most clear-ly. And so it was with Christ. Christ died our death because Christ was human like us : "was tempted in every way that we are," scripture says, and death is the greatest temptation. . But these passages and this liturgy are so familiar to us that it is difficult for us to experience their power. Perhaps the insights of a contemporary of ours, Dr. Kubler-Ross, can help us under-stand better how Christ's death was a dying our death. Those who have read her works or who have spent long hours nursing the sick and the dying will have noted the phenomenon. From an initial disbelief and re-bellion we move through a bar-gaining stage to a time of depres-sion ending finally and usually in acceptance. If this is the human pattern then Christ too experi-enced the sequence. It is clear from scripture that this was the case. His initial re-action to the awareness of im-pending death was one of shock and rebellion: "he began to be greatly distressed and troubled." Following this he moved into a bargaining phase: "if it be pos-148 sible Father remove this cup from me." Yet even at this stage there was the beginning of acceptance: " yet not my will but yours be done." This fact of the meshing of stages is common and not sim-ply an exception. It is during the crucifixion that we see most clearly the depression stage. To this there are two as-pects. First there is a breaking with past relationships. In the Gospel of today we see this poign-antly symbolized by his giving of Mary into the care of the disciple John. Furthermore, he sums up his life with the words: "It is ac-complished." Secondly, we note a real depression revealed by his cry: "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me." And finally there was accept-ance in the fullest sense: "into your hands I commend my Spir-it." With these words he aban-doned his life and purpose into the caring hands of his Father. This is the way Christ died. And this is the way - mostly in less dramatic forms - that we all must die. But for the Christian something has changed. Because Christ died our death we can now die his death - a redeeming death. This begins in Baptism whose symbolism is death oriented as well as life giv-ing. It continues in our daily dy-Linacre Quarterly ing as we play our part in the redemptive action in Christ's body the Church. And finally our death too is redemptive in Christ. We too can now be obedient even unto death because of the grace of God in Christ. And let us not forget that the Eucharist also links us with the death of Christ. As yesterday's epistle proclaims: Every time we eat this bread and drink this cup, we are proclaiming his death until he comes. And so it is appropriate that on this day when we celebrate the saving death of Jesus Christ that we receive his body. In doing so we recall the past May, 1975 - we perform a memorial. We are also linked with his saving activity now, and mystically par-ticipate and anticipate our actual dying with Christ. For the words, "until the Lord comes" mean not only in the final in-gathering of us all into the kingdom, but his coming to us when we die with him in each of our deaths. So let us continue with our liturgy recalling these mysteries which will take a life-time and a death-time to fully comprehend. Today let us die with Christ. Michael J. Stogre, S.J. Regis College Willowdale, Ontario, Canada 149 

On Death and Dying With Christ: A Homily for Good Friday

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On Death and Dying With Christ: A Homily for Good Friday

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