Written by Sr. Kathleen Burns, SND
Can you embrace your thorns, your suffering through Jesus?
Inspired by John 18:1-19:42
In the passion narratives, we are confronted with the public trial of two men with the same first name—Jesus Barabbas and Jesus of Nazareth. And like the citizens of Jerusalem, we must choose between the two.
Jesus Barabbas was a revolutionary who wanted to re-establish the nation of Israel through violence. He was the type of Messiah Israel was waiting for—a new David who would restore glory to God’s people.
Jesus of Nazareth, on the other hand, came to establish a kingdom not brought about by overthrowing earthly empires, but by overcoming sin and death through suffering.
The Gospel writers highlight the paradox of the two men named Jesus with a clever play on words. The name Barabbas should really read Bar (son) – abbas (father). Like the rabble, we are being asked, “Who is the true Bar-abbas or Son of the Father?” We know they chose wrongly, but now we must also choose.
Do we recognize the Son in the suffering Jesus? Do we believe that God’s power is at work in human suffering? Do we recognize the face of Jesus in our own sufferings?
On Good Friday, each one of us is invited to confront suffering, to choose it and embrace it as something that has value in our lives. So we carry to the Cross our own weaknesses and struggles, the things we just don’t understand or cannot accept. We look on Jesus crucified and we cry, “You are our true Bar-abbas!” and we choose once again His way.
