29th March 2026 –
When we listen to the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and when we look to the altar of this church, our minds cannot but consider the one image that overshadows all others during Holy Week, and that is Jesus Christ crucified. What does that image mean for us? What does it make us feel? Is it Sacrifice? Suffering? Mercy? Salvation? Is it sad indifference? I would think that the least obvious virtue to consider is obedience. The image of the crucified Christ is actually the sign of loving obedience to the Divine will.
Jesus spent his entire time on earth listening to the Divine voice. Throughout his time on earth, in other words Jesus was obedient. He obeyed his parents (Luke 2:51). He obeyed God’s call to public ministry (Matthew 3:14-15). He was obedient to God in times of trial and temptation (John 12:27- 28). He spent time with his Father in prayer so that he might know and obey the Father’s will (Luke 6:12- 13). Obedience was not always easy for the human nature of Jesus – just think about his struggle in the Garden of Gethsemane. His humanity struggled at times with what was asked of Him. But because Jesus constantly relied on the Holy Spirit’s power He won the victory of obedience. That victory was His resurrection.
A most important thing to say is that Christ’s way of obedience does not remove suffering, or the tragedies, or the sometimes incredible imperfections of this life, – it will not stop the weeping or the pain, but it does alter our understanding – Christ does help us to bear these burdens. Some will say: “Could not God have devised a different way – that didn’t involve so much grief and suffering.” The answer to that has to be yes. But we must also consider that this is the best way to share the Divine Life of love. Love requires freedom. Freedom involves choice. God has in fact given us the Holy Spirit to help us make good choices. So we have to ask ourselves ‘do I accustom myself, do I adjust my attitudes to this gift of the Holy Spirit?’ The Holy Spirit dwells with those who listen to the voice of the Lord. Listening is the key element. Proper and right action is the evidence of listing.
A fair summary of all the readings for today – and indeed of the whole message of the gospel is this: Obedience to God, listening and acting appropriately, always brings the joy of sharing the Divine Life. Jesus passed through death to new life because of his obedience. His way is a death-to-life transformation. If we listen, learn and so change, we will pass through the Passion to that eternal Easter which is the promised share in the Divine life as adopted children.
