Today, I ponder.
I ponder over all that has happened over the past few days – how an innocent man, sent by God, could have been treated like a common criminal. All he tried to do was to show us the way, but the way ended up leading to his death.
I ponder as to how we ended up here – how this Jesus, who I loved, was taken from me. And why? Because he loved me! He did all of this to save me so that I could be with him forever. I certainly did not deserve this, as I have not always lived as I should, often putting my own needs before the needs of others, treating others like they’re not as good as I am, or simply turning my back when someone needed me the most – just as I did to Jesus. When Jesus needed me most, where was I?
Today, I ponder.
If I am to be like Simon of Cyrene, I must take up my cross and follow Christ. If I am to be crucified beside Jesus like one of the thieves, like the good thief, I must acknowledge and worship my God – the one who hung on the cross next to me.
If I am to be like Joseph of Arimathea, I must go to the one who ordered Jesus’ crucifixion and ask for Christ’s body. If I am to be like Nicodemus, the man who worshipped God by night, I must bring spices and prepare Christ’s body for burial.
If I am to be like one of the Mary’s, or Salome, or Joanna, let me weep in the early morning over the loss of my Savior and friend.
Yet today, I ponder.
I ponder over the possibility of change – to be different, to be better, to be more loving, to be more Christ-like; to take all that I have witnessed over the past several days and embrace the reality that God loves me this much.
And even though he lies in a cold, dark tomb, I truly believe that he will rise – and I know that he will always be with me.
As for now, I sit in silence. I pray. I wait patiently, and I hope for a new tomorrow.
Today, I ponder.
~Based off of a homily by St. Gregory Nazianzen
From Good Friday to Easter Sunday, waiting is hard. Read why here.
