The Way of the Cross - The Road of the Popes
Today is Good Friday. The day when Jesus paid the penalty for our sins. A day of repentance. And a day of remembrance. A reminder to us all to take up our cross and follow him in sorrow and persecution. The cross of persecution is being carried by Christians all over the world right now in a way it has not since Roman times, especially in India and the Muslim lands in the Middle East. We in the United States have had our own share. When the world cannot seduce us, it will always turn against us.
St. Peter, the first Pope and one of the earliest martyrs, experienced the worst that Roman wrath against Christians could offer when he was crucified in Nero’s gardens in 64 A.D. Years before he had denied Christ and run away; this time he was faithful to the end. He became something of a model for his successors.
Today, Peter is being crucified in Rome again — not to mention New York, Berlin and other major capitals — in the person of his successor, Benedict XVI. Crucified through hatred and unjust accusation.
I am reminded of what the Servant of God, Pope John Paul I, said to the assembled cardinals a few days after his election (August 30, 1978, to be exact).
. . . before the scrutiny was finished, [Cardinal Felici] came up to me, because he was in front of me before, and said, “A message for the new Pope.” “Thank you,” I said, (but it wasn’t over yet). I opened it. What was inside? A little way of the Cross! This is the road of the Popes, but in the Way of the Cross, one of the characters is also Simon of Cyrene. I hope that my brother cardinals will help this poor Christ, vicar of Christ, carry the cross by their co-operation, which I feel I need so much.
John Paul I’s way to Calvary as Pope was short indeed, but I believe it was filled with suffering that may well never be completely known. His successor, the Venerable John Paul II, who died five years ago today (has it really been five years already?) said at John Paul I’s death that the Christ’s call to Peter to follow him is also a call to die. Twenty-six years later, his own deathbed Way of the Cross brought so many people around the world to repentance.
Each of these Popes took up the cross in their own way. Today each one of us needs to be Simon of Cyrene, and help the Holy Father carry the cross by our prayers.
John Paul I and John Paul II, pray today and always for your successor on the chair of Peter.
Eternal Father, I offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your Dearly Beloved Son, Our Lord, Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world. For the sake of his sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world. Amen.
