Great and Holy Friday Strict Fast
Friday, April 29, 2005
6th Hour: Isaiah 52:13-54:1 Vesperal Epistle: 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:2 Vesperal Gospel:
St. Matthew 27:1-38; St. Luke 23:39-43; St. Matthew 27:39-54; St. John 19:31-37; St. Matthew
27:55-61, especially vss. 59-61 of St. Matthew: "When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,
and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb,
and departed. And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb." The Lover of Mankind
cries out to each one of His brethren of every race and clan: "Set Me as a seal upon thy heart, as a seal upon thine arm; for
love is strong as death...Much water will not be able to quench love, and rivers shall not drown it" (SOS 8:6,7 LXX), even
though "jealousy is cruel as the grave" (SOS 8:6 LXX).
In disregard of truth and in jealousy "all the chief priests and elders of the people plotted against Jesus to put Him to death
and...delivered Him to Pontius Pilate the governor" (Mt. 27:1,2), for only Pilate had the power to issue a warrant for
execution. Poor Judas, in remorse, saw that the Lord Jesus was sure to be condemned, and yet vainly "brought back the
thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders" (vs. 3). Of course, he was unable to stop the shedding of innocent
blood and so, in utter frustration, "threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged
himself" (vs. 5). We fallen, mortal men cannot call back the furies of hate once they are unleashed. Thus, Barabbas was
released and Jesus turned over to the Roman execution squad, for mocking, crucifixion, and the death of the Cross. And
we, Beloved of the Lord, like Simon of Cyrene, are compelled to bear His cross to Golgotha and watch.
One of the others who was condemned, one who would die along with the Lord, heard the voice of the Lover through the
din of jealousy that day. It was he who begged Him, "remember me when You come into Your kingdom" (Lk. 23:42). If
we are given the grace, then we too may hear the Lover silently calling to us, and even we may take the thief's words upon
our lips. Behold, the torrent of jealousy, hate, and indifference cannot quench love. Among those in whom Love evoked
the response of love were "many women who followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to Him...looking on from afar" (Mt.
27:55). Rivers of jealousy cannot quench Love. As we remember their names, let us stand with them and look on as Love
defeats death: "Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's sons" (vs. 27:56).
Among the lovers who heard the Lover's voice "was a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also
become a disciple of Jesus" (vs. 57). St. John Chrysostom points out that "he had become very bold after the death of
Christ...For he exposed himself to death, taking upon him enmity with all by his affection for Jesus." He "not only dared to
ask for the body," he even laid "it in his own new tomb" thereby showing "both his love and his courage." See what Love
can evoke: a loss of fear in the face of death, courage, and love! Truly, "love is strong as death." There is no remorse here,
no flinging of silver away from one's soiled hands, vainly to be rid of the stain of sin, "for it is the Blood that makes
atonement for the soul" (Lev. 17:11). How tenderly love answers Love: "When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it
in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock" (Mt. 27:59,60). Notice what St.
Jerome observes about the entombment: "His body was placed in a new tomb lest it be imagined after the Resurrection that
one of the other interred bodies had arisen." And the women sit "opposite the tomb" (vs. 61) watching. Ah, but hear St.
John Chrysostom: "Let us men imitate these women. Let us not forsake Jesus in times of trial."
How then shall I array Thee, my God? How shall I wrap Thee with linen? Or what dirges shall I chant for Thy funeral?
Wherefore, O compassionate Lord, I magnify Thy Passion, and praise Thy Burial with Thy Resurrection, crying, Lord,
glory to Thee!
