Music for Good Friday

“And they crucified him, and divided his garments among them, casting lots for them, to decide what each should take. And it was the third hour, when they crucified him. And the inscription of the charge against him read ‘The King of the Jews’. And with him they crucified two robbers, one on his right and one on his left. And those passing by derided him, wagging their heads, and saying, ‘Aha! You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself and come down from the cross!’ So also the chief priests mocked him to another with the scribes…” (Mk 15: 24-31a)

Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings seems appropriate today. For me, the haunting strains create the perfect backdrop while contemplating Christ on the cross. I invite you to start the video, then gaze upon the image, and meditate upon the scripture passage. Do you hear Mary’s heart being pierced? Do you hear Christ’s soul crying out from the cross, yearning, thirsting? Do you see him deep in the throes of abandonment? Do you sense His pure and undefiled body, wracked with unimaginable pain? And yet, He still loves. It’s in His eyes, as he looks down upon those mocking him, gambling for his garments, jeering at him. It was love that brought him to Calvary, and it was love that kept him upon the cross. And tthroughout it all, He still forgives.

Forgives us all, even a poor sinner as me.

Photo credit: by Philip De Vere, from the Philip Medhurst Collection [Creative Commons] via Wikimedia