Can you imagine how you would feel if someone willingly were to die in place of you? In Auschwitz, a concentration camp during the Second World War, 10 prisoners were condemned to death because another prisoner had escaped. One of the condemned prisoners began to cry out that he would never see his wife and children again and continued sobbing. A 47-year-old prisoner from the ranks stepped forward and asked to die in his place. The exchange was made and Maximilian Kolbe, the substitute, was the last of the 10 to die in the starvation bunker.
Jesus came forward and did that for you and for all the people before and after you. He died because our sins had condemned us and he stood in our place. Jesus, the father’s only son, a Jew like many of the people in Auschwitz, was innocent of any crime. He loved us. He was willing to suffer and give his life that we might live. His imprisonment and death were slow torture. When passers-by looked and saw this agonizing man hanging on a cross, their gaze saw only a criminal, a failure, a loser, and they walked on, perhaps relieved that he was punished. They did not know that he chose to suffer and give his life’s blood because he loved us.
Does what he did make a difference to you? It should! You can change your destiny. The choice of how you will live the rest of your life is up to you. No matter what your past has been, what you do now spells out how you will live for all eternity. You may not be able to change the circumstances of your life, but you can change your moment-to-moment choices and your attitude. Look for one good moment in each day with gratitude. Reach out for God’s gift of love.
If walking in the footsteps of Jesus or with him is already your way of life, pray daily for those who still struggle to attain this. They are your brothers and sisters. If you are one who is still struggling, open your eyes and heart to God’s love for you. He takes you and loves you where you’re at. Turn to him for help to do what you have to do to mend the inclination you have to make bad choices. Ask for his help to avoid the temptations that surround you. Don’t try to go it alone. If you ask he will be there for you. Lean on him and like him when he carried his cross, get up when you fall.
This Friday is called Good Friday because we celebrate the greatest act of love that the world has ever known. We are saddened by the cost, and by our share of the blame, which caused such intense suffering. Crucifixion was so horrendous and cruel that the Romans abolished it as a form of execution. Don’t be fooled by our sanitized pictures and crucifixes. It was bloody, horrible and cruel. But on the third day after his dead body was removed and buried, he rose triumphant and glorious as will each of us who live in his love and persevere in right choices. May the Joy of the Resurrection be yours. Happy Easter. Celebrate!
Sister Andrea Dumont is a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Toronto Roman Catholic religious order. She spent 14 years in Guatemala and since returning to Canada has lived in Grand Rapids, Easterville and Thompson. The main focus of her work in adult education, which includes training lay presiders for times when there is no priest available, organizing and instructing in the various ministries, sacramental preparation and RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults).
