Allen Lunneberg

 

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Text: John 19:17-30
Date: Good Friday Triduum II + 4/6/07

     From a harmony of the four Gospels we have seven words or statements from the cross. Matthew and Mark report only the one, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” St. Luke has three more: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do;” “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise;” and “Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit!” Each Evangelist’s account has its own character and purpose. St. Luke’s is the most catechetical, proclaiming the faithful Son of God who came to release all mankind from the grip of the bondage of sin. Good Friday, however, is reserved, always, for Saint John. He reports the additional words from the cross, “Woman, behold, your son,” “I thirst,” and “It is finished.” In addition to those words, however, are two more important details: the soldiers gambling for his tunic, and the piercing of Jesus’ side with a spear and the flow of blood and water. Taken together, St. John’s account of the crucifixion therefore emphasizes, more than the others, the triumph and victory of the Son of God, the Word made flesh Who came to conquer death and give life to all who believe. In John the Passion is victorious. Jesus’ death is referred to as his glorification, and by his cross he is lifted up like the healing serpent lifted up by Moses in the wilderness. Even his final word is a cry of victory, “It is finished.” He is not overcome. He has overcome.
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Text: Luke 22:7-20
Date: Maundy Thursday + 4/5/07

     It’s been a long night here in the Upper Room. During our Lenten midweek services we have heard the words of our Lord that he spoke to us that night in which he was betrayed from the Gospel of John, much of it standing just before heading out the door into this night. This night, however, is set aside to commemorate two things: first, the mandatum novum, the new commandment “that you love one another” from which this day receives its name “Maundy” Thursday, and demonstrated in our Lord’s washing of the disciples’ feet. Secondly, this night is the anniversary of the greatest mystery: the institution of the sacrament of our Lord’s Body and Blood, the sacrament of the altar, the Lord’s Supper, the Holy Communion, the Eucharist. It is a mystery because while we can and are to know, acknowledge and believe that Jesus meant what he said when he said, “this is my body, this is my blood,” still we cannot explain it. Those bent on explaining this mystery most often end up not believing it aright! But those who simply hear and boldly believe the words of Christ truly receive what he says, his holy Body and his sacred Blood, and the forgiveness of sins, life and salvation that has been purchased for us by his holy sacrifice on the cross.
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