Triduum Sacrum: Good Friday

Triduum Sacrum: Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12; Psalm 31; Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9; John 18:1 – 19:42

The 25^th day of March – the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord. The earth hurtles ‘round the sun as the moonrise heralds the evening hour on earth;equinox and moon’s fullness conspire. It is the 25^th day of March, a Friday – a Friday we call “good”. Good Friday.

Conception and death converge – a beginning and an end.

We may think that death and conception are different yet… …in the darkness of the womb new life begins unseen – unknown until quickening. Unseen in the darkness of graves, death waits until the time of birthing into eternity.

Waiting binds death and conception. Waiting for the unexpected and the unforeseen.

Is there a difference between the birth of a child and the birth into eternity? Do we not see the hope of eternity in every daughter and son?

Birth reconciles conception and death. Death and birth share the water and blood of human pain and suffering.

The Missouri poet, T. S. Eliot understood this reconciliation in writing about the experience of the magi. Birth or Death? There was a Birth, certainly,We had evidence and no doubt. I had seen birth and death,But had thought they were different; this Birthwas Hard and bitter agony for us, like Death, our death.*

Conception and birth are infused with death. An ending mingles with a beginning. “I am the servant of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” [Luke 1:38] “Not my will but yours be done.” [Luke 22:42] The virgin-mother and son both die to their wants and desires so as to embrace life.

Death is enveloped by conception. A beginning dances with an end. “It is accomplished!” [John 19:30] “My whole being proclaims the greatness of God…” [Luke 1:46] Son and virgin-mother cry out in joy for the victory of God over sin and death.

I had seen birth and death, But had thought they were different…

The 25^th day of March. Conception and death converge – a beginning and an end and a beginning…

*T.S. Eliot, Journey of the Magi