"Darkness Fell at Three o'clock in the Afternoon"
Much of the hardship we encounter in life we accept as part of life. Not just math tests, and unintentionally hurt feelings, but even harder things like illness and death. For instance, if Jesus had been a great and respected teacher who died in his bed after a full life his death would not have been seen as horrific or tragic. But he died early, due to political manipulation and gross injustice. He was a victim of human sin. It was unnecessary.
The Bible says that he died at three o'clock and the sky went dark. We expect the sun to set each day, but not at three o'clock. When night comes gobbling up day life untimely early there is something wrong about it. It should not be. This is why our spiritual forebears posit the need for salvation. Not because night exists, but because humans cause early darkness when it was not necessary and simply wrong.
The Catholic Radio Show host Archbishop Martin Sheen addressed this. He said, "Without Good Friday, there is no Easter." Without wrestling with sin the human soul cannot long for salvation. God's redemption comes after awareness and acceptance of need for soul repair.
Jesus understood this and he courageously engaged what did not have to be, human cruelty, human ruthlessness, human self worship, and murder. Jesus embracing what should not be part of human life brought God's goodness and love directly into the wound. In Jesus God brought life out of death. Easter without engaging what is hard is fantasy. Easter that comes from engaging evil is healing and resurrection.
Have a blessed week,
Father John
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