Last night our national news reported yet another mass gun shooting in our country. This latest tragedy occurred in California and included a 9-year-old victim who died in the arms of his mother. I continue to be deeply saddened that we as a nation still do not value the life of so many innocent people, especially children, enough to demand the needed change in our national gun laws that might finally reduce the far too often mass shootings that continue to cripple our country. When will we learn and say enough is enough? How many more innocent and precious children will die from gun shootings before we finally act?
As I went to bed last night, I prayed for that poor mother who lived through yesterday’s massacre while embracing her dying boy. I couldn’t help but also reflect on Mary, who on Good Friday many years ago, likewise held here innocent and bloodied dead son in her arms. I prayed for Mary to give this grieving mother in California the strength to face the difficult days before her as she buries her son.
Many of us today will walk the stations of the cross as a way of remembering Jesus’ passion and suffering for us. His willingness to accept that faithful journey to Calvary allows us to move forward in hope that even in the midst of death, despair and overwhelming tragedies that Resurrection is still possible. We cannot have Easter Sunday morning without embracing the cross we celebrate today on this Good Friday.
As we prayerfully walk those stations today and reflect on the life of our Lord, let us carry with us the needs of so many in our country and world who are themselves walking their own Calvary journey every day. As we ponder on our own journeys, let us pray that we might choose to be like Mary and follow Jesus even on the road to Calvary. She faithfully watched and endured Jesus’ Good Friday journey. She did not flee or abandon Jesus out of fears like many of the apostles but stood by that cross until He was taken down and placed in her loving and waiting arms. As we walk this Good Friday, let us do so as people who are not afraid to give witness to the power of the cross as we have come to know and believe that without it, we will not be able to enjoy the promise that the tombstone will indeed be opened on Easter morning and Christ will again be able to live in our hearts.