“Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus with her sons, bowing down and making a request of Him. And He said to her, “What do you desire?” She *said to Him, “Say that in Your kingdom these two sons of mine shall sit, one at Your right, and one at Your left.” But Jesus replied, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” They said to Him, “We are able.” He said to them, “My cup you shall drink; but to sit at My right and at My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by My Father.” –
Matthew 20: 20-23
I have written on numerous occasions about the supernatural nature of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. It is said that the Mass is an unbloody re-presentation of Christ’s crucifixion on Calvary. The supernatural reality of the Mass is that the Mass acts as a conduit through which time and space are connected so that we can be present at the actual crucifixion of Jesus as it happens. One would ask why God would want us present at that event. St. Paul said it best when he said that he makes up in his body that which is lacking in the crucifixion. What could possibly be lacking in Christ’s crucifixion?
Quite simply, my participation in it.
The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass make present in real time the crucifixion of Jesus so that I can participate in it. But how exactly do I participate in his crucifixion? Do I stand at the foot of the cross with our Blessed Mother? Do I stand jeering with the temple priests? Do I sit casting lots with the soldiers?
No, I participate by being crucified with Christ.
When we think of the crucifixion, our focus is on Christ on the cross. Our focus, rightly so, is on the sacrifice being made for us. But the sacrifice does not end with Jesus. We have to look past the cross to finish the sacrifice. When Jesus said, “It is finished” we are presented with a choice.
When reading scripture details matter. The Holy Spirit puts the details we read into scripture so that we can learn something from them. There were two men who were being crucified with Jesus, one to his right and one to his left. Both of these men were receiving the just punishment due for their crimes; death. We know that one of these men mocked Jesus. The other is known as the good thief, for in the end he only ask that Jesus remember him.
As with Jesus bar Abbas, we are presented with a choice. On one cross we have the penitent man. On the other a man who turns from the Lord. Both men must die for their sins but the penitent man will be with Jesus in his heavenly kingdom. The man who turns away from God goes to hell.
Through our baptisms we die with Christ so that we can rise with him to eternal life.
As part of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass we are presented a choice. Which cross do you wish to die upon? God sends no one to hell. If we find ourselves in hell at the end of our lives here on earth it is because we have chosen to die on the cross of the thief who turned his back on God. If we want to live with Jesus in heaven for all eternity we have to choose to die on the cross of the penitent thief. We have to be willing to turn to Jesus and ask him with a humble heart to remember us even though we are deserving of death.
Easter is not just about the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ. Easter includes the choice we have to make on how we will die; with Christ or without Christ.
Which cross do you choose?