This is an imagining the events of the Passion through the eyes of the beloved disciple, John.
The day began in the garden.
Jesus brought all of us here with a purpose, but we were all unaware of what would unfold.
A band of soldiers led by Judas, came in search of Jesus.
Jesus, willingly went to them, and a confrontation began.
After questioning he told the soldier to let us go.
Peter tried to take the situation into his own hands to protect Jesus by taking the sword and cutting off Malchus ear.
But Jesus stopped Peter and told him to put his sword away, and said, “Shall I not drink the cup that the Father gave me?”
What cup did the Father give Jesus?
Jesus then surrendered to the guards to be taken away.
I was confused, as it seemed like Jesus wanted this angry mob to arrest him.
I accompanied Peter and we followed Jesus as he was taken to be questioned and accused of being a criminal.
As Jesus was questioned, he didn’t defend himself.
When questioned by the chief priest or Pilate, he just answered with another question.
This was fuel to the fire that led to his crucifixion.
It’s seemed like he was just letting them have control over his destiny, until Pilate asked, “Do you not know I have the power to release you and crucify you”.
Jesus answered Pilate directly this time, “You have no power over me if it had not been given to you from above”.
Pilate was not in control; Jesus was by obediently following the Father’s will.
As I stood at the foot of the cross with the Blessed Mother watching Jesus suffer, I heard Jesus speak his last words, “I thirst”.
I felt this this was much more than to quench his human thirst.
This was a divine thirst was for the love of me and all his disciples who he sacrificed his life for.
After taking the final drink from the wine soaked sponge, the final cup given to him by the Father, Jesus sighed, “It is finished” and died.
In his loving obedience to the Father, Jesus loved us to the end.
Finally, Joseph of Arimathea bravely asked Pilate for Jesus’ body and placing it in a new tomb in the garden.
This day begin in the garden and ended in a garden.
(Pause)
The story of creation began in the Garden of Eden with Adam & Eve being created, succumbing to sin, and letting death enter the world.
The story of creation is begun anew in a garden, putting sin to death, and conquering death through his sacrifice on the cross, providing eternal life for all who believe in him.
As we await the resurrection of our Lord, let us thirst for the love of Jesus, as he thirsts for the love of each one of us.
And may our thirst be quenched, b His Body and Blood, sacrificed for us on the cross.
