It is Finished

The Gospel of John’s account of the death of Jesus is read on Good Friday. In this account the author shows a Jesus in control right up to his last breath;

"It is finished." Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. John 19:30

In this final act of obedience to the Father he loved, the fabric of the universe was changed.

The author of John has Jesus the Son sent by the Father to save the whole world. Jesus, Son of Man, died on a cross, bleeding from his pierced side, trusting in the Father. Jesus, the Son of God, revealed God’s love in categories derived from human experience. Now manger and cross are forever linked. "It is finished" and now something new is possible.

This love of the Father, who Jesus loved, was not a soft affective love; it was and still is the very essence of our character and identity as post-Easter Christians. Jesus told his disciples to “Love one another as I have loved you.” Jesus loved all the world without restraint and not counting the cost.

Three women and one disciple were standing at the foot of the cross and heard the final words from the Son of Man; "It is finished." Only in the days and weeks ahead would they realize it was only beginning.

Good Friday is good because not only because we already know the rest of the story, but because, fundamentally, the relationship between God and the world was altered in Jesus’ final act of obedience.

“It is finished." Then he bowed his head and up his spirit.

Fr. Showers

Love is Stronger than Death

Having read Love is Stronger than Death by Cynthia Bourgeault, an Episcopal priest who fell in love with Rafe, a Trappist hermit in the evening of both their lives, I felt it was so moving that it could very well be of interest to other members in our parish.

The author’s writing reflects the deeper meaning behind the title after Rafe dies. My own dear brother John died unexpectedly January 2nd, 2010 in England and the book spoke personally to me as a result. It is a beautiful book, dealing with our beliefs or not, of being able to touch our loved ones who have passed on, through our deep love for them.

I know some of our members have already read the book and enjoyed it, so I would love to set up a discussion group for those and others who might be inspired to read it, too. My own work at my Meditation Retreat Center in NC dealt specifically with this very issue just over a year ago, so I can bring the fruits of that time to the discussion also. I have an extra copy should anyone else want to borrow it. Let me know if you are interested in a joining a 2 hour discussion group by commenting below or contacting me directly.

Brenda Hollweger