Archbishop of Sydney

GOOD FRIDAY

St. Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney

By + Cardinal George Pell
Archbishop of Sydney
9 April 2004

“Sing my tongue of warfare ended
of the Victor’s laurelled crown;
Let the Cross, his trophy splendid
Be the theme of high renown;
How a broken world was mended
Life restored by life laid down.”

This verse from an ancient poem captures two of the truths which are fundamental to the celebration of Good Friday, and it is the second truth which explains the strange title of this feast day.

First of all Jesus really died.  God cannot die, but Jesus was also true man and shared the fate of us all.  He died on that cross in Jerusalem nearly 2000 years ago.

The readings chosen for this afternoon demonstrate this, especially the section from the Old Testament prophet Isaiah.  The crowds were appalled by the suffering; they could not look at him, screened their faces, he was like a lamb led to the slaughterhouse.

What is the second basic truth of Good Friday?  I often retell Jesus’ story to the year six confirmation candidates.  Jesus was a good young man in his thirties, doing great work teaching, healing, forming communities.  Not only did he die young but he was murdered.  I ask why the anniversary of such a sad and terrible event is called “good”?  Always there is someone, usually after a moment or two of quiet, who explains that Jesus died for us, Jesus died to save us.

Once again Isaiah captures the second truth: “On him lies a punishment that brings us peace and through his wounds we are healed.”  That was the text at the start of Mel Gibson’s film “The Passion of the Christ.”

Paul’s letter to the Hebrews also explains this second dimension: “Although he was Son, he learnt to obey through suffering; but having been made perfect, he became for all who obey him the source of eternal salvation”.

“Time” magazine of April 12th is out early but devotes 8 pages of text and pictures to discuss “Why did Jesus have to die?” listing three of the classical theories or explanations of redemption and atonement; that Jesus died to defeat Satan and rescue humanity from evil; to make amends for sins against God and finally that he died as an exemplar, to inspire people to live in obedience to God’s ways.

Books have been written to explain these theories and explain why some are better explanations than others, more in conformity with the Scriptures and what we know about God.

This afternoon I would like to follow one of these threads and discuss the reactions of the two thieves crucified with Jesus and Jesus’ response to the good thief.

All the gospel accounts of the Passion recount that some at the foot of the cross, soldiers, passers-by, opponents mocked and abused Our Lord.  Luke’s gospel, which we are following this year, gives a fuller account and is the only one to mention the good thief’s defence and prayer.

The bad thief joined the others in abusing Our Lord.  “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us as well.”

Then the good thief had his say, rebuking the first “have you no fear of God at all?” He added that they deserved their sentences because of their crimes.  They were paying for their mistakes, but Jesus had done nothing wrong.  Then he turned and asked “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”  Jesus’ reply is one of the most beautiful moments in the whole New Testament: “Today you will be with me in paradise.”  It should be a consolation to everyone of us in those moments when we feel weighed down, worried that God will be too strict, that we will always be unworthy.  Whenever we are tempted to doubt, to wonder whether God will forgive, those beautiful words to the good thief should run like a refrain of mercy through our minds.

Neither should we conclude that Jesus was not thinking clearly, that he was confused being so near to death, that he was touched and uncharacteristically moved by this unexpected kindness and support.

The good thief had explicitly acknowledged his sins, he had asked for help, recognized not only Jesus’ sinlessness but his spiritual authority.  He was also undergoing a hideous punishment in reparation for his sins.

But Jesus’ kindness is also completely at one with other sections of the New Testament; with his treatment of the woman accused of adultery and threatened with death by stoning “I do not condemn you, but go, sin no more”; completely at one with the parable of the prodigal son welcomed back by his loving father after years of debauchery and wasting his inheritance.  This incident is like the good shepherd leaving the ninety-nine sheep to seek out and save the one that was lost.

The reactions of the two thieves are not the only examples of the different paths sinners might take.  We also have the story of Judas and Peter, which is captured so dramatically in Mel Gibson’s film and filled out with non-scriptural material.

After Peter denied Christ three times he realised his mistake, repented and wept bitterly.  The film has him going to Mary and asking forgiveness.

On the other hand Judas could not bring himself to ask for forgiveness.  With the bad thief we have no evidence that he acknowledged his wrong doing, one way or the other.  We know that Judas did, recognizing that he had betrayed innocent blood for 30 pieces of silver.

Gibson’s film graphically traces his descent into madness and despair, hanging himself next to the rotting corpse of a donkey.  It was a grim portrayal of a man overwhelmed by his sin and unable to reach out for the warm hand of God.

Another non-biblical incident in Gibson’s film told me something about my own unconverted self, about the untamed and unchristian subconscious.  After the bad thief had abused Christ, a large black raven descends onto his cross and begins to attack his right eye.

Instinctively I was delighted.  The “baddie” was getting what he deserved; that would teach him to be a bit more respectful next time.

With embarrassment I realised that this was not a Christian response, not an example of a disciple practising forgiveness.  Years ago I remember hearing the story of the barbarian chief, being instructed for conversion with his followers.  As the story of the passion was recounted to him, he asked where these enemies of Jesus were.  Were they nearby?  He would ride with his men and deal with them!

I remember too smiling in a superior way at this primitive response, but my rejoicing with the raven was moving in the same direction.  He who stands must always beware lest he fall!

In the Eucharist we celebrate the death of the Lord until he comes again, and I like to link the Agnus Dei prayer, the prayer to the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world with Christ’s act of forgiveness on the cross.  Through the Mass and sacraments Christs’ forgiveness is available to us.

Therefore in conclusion we pray “Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us all and grant all of us peace”.

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.