In the midst of all of the Russian collusion hoax intrigue, remembering that this is a sacred day in the Christian calendar can be difficult. After all, the only major institution of commerce to suspend activity in observance is the New York Stock Exchange. For all intents and purposes, life in America just goes on today.
But, today is sacred. From the Passion According to St. John:
[16] Then therefore he delivered him to them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him forth. [17] And bearing his own cross, he went forth to that place which is called Calvary, but in Hebrew Golgotha. [18] Where they crucified him, and with him two others, one on each side, and Jesus in the midst. [19] And Pilate wrote a title also, and he put it upon the cross. And the writing was: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. [20] This title therefore many of the Jews did read: because the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, in Greek, and in Latin.
[21] Then the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate: Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am the King of the Jews. [22] Pilate answered: What I have written, I have written. [23] The soldiers therefore, when they had crucified him, took his garments, (and they made four parts, to every soldier a part,) and also his coat. Now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. [24] They said then one to another: Let us not cut it, but let us cast lots for it, whose it shall be; that the scripture might be fulfilled, saying: They have parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture they have cast lots. And the soldiers indeed did these things. [25] Now there stood by the cross of Jesus, his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalen.
[26] When Jesus therefore had seen his mother and the disciple standing whom he loved, he saith to his mother: Woman, behold thy son. [27] After that, he saith to the disciple: Behold thy mother. And from that hour, the disciple took her to his own. [28] Afterwards, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, said: I thirst. [29] Now there was a vessel set there full of vinegar. And they, putting a sponge full of vinegar and hyssop, put it to his mouth. [30] Jesus therefore, when he had taken the vinegar, said: It is consummated. And bowing his head, he gave up the ghost.
Here is the Savior of the World abandoned by His known followers in His hour of need. Only His Mother, and the beloved Apostle and two other women, who were considered little more than children in that time, remained.
The hour of Divine Mercy, when Christ surrendered His spirit is 3pm. It is the one time of the year reverence actually enters choir lofts all over the world. (Otherwise, we’re out of sight. Not everyone is paying attention.) The Passion According to St. John will be read.
And remembering the women, there is a 13th century chant for Good Friday (and Stations of the Cross) known as the Stabat Mater. It is a song of Mary as she stood by the cross watching her Son die. Over the centuries the text has been put to various settings. Arguably, one of the most glorious was composed by Gioachino Rossini. I’ve had the honor of singing in the chorus for it twice. My favorite movement #9 is the Quando Corpus Morietur.
While my body here decays,
may my soul Thy goodness praise,
Safe in Paradise with Thee.
And one more, the Finale of Theodore Dubois’s Seven Last Words of Christ.
Tomorrow…well, it’s another day.
