The Victory of Christ's Death
March 23rd Readings Reflection: Saturday of the Fifth Week of Lent
Today’s Gospel sets the stage for Holy Week, which we will begin tomorrow with our observance of Palm Sunday. In today’s Gospel, the high priest Caiaphas prophesied about Our Lord’s death: “You know nothing, nor do you consider that it is better for you that one man should die instead of the people, so that the whole nation may not perish.” This prophecy encouraged the chief priests and the Pharisees in their desire to kill Jesus.
The Fathers of the Church wrote about Caiaphas’ prophecy, referencing the passage in today’s Gospel where St. John pointed out that the prophecy was of supernatural origin. We know that Caiaphas was an evil man, for he played a key role in organizing Jesus’ Crucifixion. Nonetheless, the Holy Spirit used even Caiaphas to prophecy Christ’s death. St. John Chrysostom explained, “Divine grace only used [Caiaphas’] mouth; it touched not his corrupt heart.” This corrupt heart would ultimately condemn Jesus as a blasphemer a short time later, as we shall hear in tomorrow’s Gospel.
The spiritual reality of Caiaphas’ words is that Jesus did indeed give His life “not only for the nation [of Israel], but also to gather into one the dispersed children of God,” as we read in today’s Gospel. Jesus died to save all men, both Jews and Gentiles alike. If it were not for Christ’s Death, man would continue to die to sin, for Christ’s Passion and Death brought about our salvation.
As one of my priests eloquently worded it in a recent homily, “Through the death of Life, death died.” We know that Our Lord is “the way, and the truth, and the life” (Jn 14:6 DRB). It is only through the death of Jesus Christ, Who is Life Itself, that we are able to attain eternal life. Before Jesus came to earth, man “walked in darkness…[and] dwelt in the region of the shadow of death” (Is 9:2). However, through the paradoxical victory of Christ’s Passion and Death, God triumphed once and for all over sin and death.
Because of Our Lord’s Passion and Death, “[d]eath is swallowed up in victory” (1 Cor 15:54). As we prepare to enter the holiest week of the year, may we see in Christ’s bitter Passion and Death on the Cross a victory, brought about by pure love, by which we are able to attain eternal life.
The cross a battlefield and victory of good over evil, truth over the lie, love over hate, and life over death. As I was praying the stations, we were all very sorrowful knowing the cost of the battle. Like your wonderful reflection notes, we also need to recall in the midst of sorrow, God’s resounding victory.
This is a wonderful reflection. I was especially touched by your very last sentence!!!!