Beloved Family:
Blessed Easter! “It is accomplished.” These words were spoken by Jesus Christ, as he completed the work of our redemption on the cross. Although they are often translated, “It is finished,” some of the power is perhaps lost, since there is so much more in this statement than the end of a task.
The following is an excerpt from a homily delivered on Good Friday 2000 by Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa, O.F.M.Cap., who very recently stepped down after a long appointment as Preacher to the Papal Household. The full text can be accessed on the Catholic Culture website.
"It is accomplished!". This word is enough to throw light on the whole of the mystery of Calvary. What was it that was accomplished? First of all, the earthly life of Jesus, the work that the Father had given him to do (see Jn 4:34; 5:36; 17:4). "He had always loved those who were his in the world, but now he showed how perfect his love was" (Jn 13:1). The Greek has "he loved them to the te/os", that is, to the end, and that same word, in its verbal form, is echoed in the cry of Jesus: Tetelestai, it is accomplished. He has endured, to the very end, the supreme test of his love…
How must Calvary have appeared on that first Friday, that Preparation Day! A stage on which one hurried to tower the curtain at the close of a calamitous failure. At any moment the Shofar could sound, announcing the beginning of the Sabbath rest. In haste, as the Mother looked on, Joseph of Arimathea and his men loosened Jesus's hands from the crossbeam, anointed his body with oil, wrapped it in a sheet and, carrying it on a stretcher, disappeared into the gathering gloom, the women following, weeping. In a short white the hilltop place was left empty and silent, just as the altars of our churches will be left this evening.
That was how the liturgy of the very first Good Friday drew to a close. But ever since the greatest checkmate in all history was transformed into the most beautiful, the purest, and the best-remembered victory known to mankind: defeat itself sings to a different key. It can now be the privileged place where one discovers the real meaning of life, the real grandeur of the human person and, above all, the love of the Father for the little and the poor.
On behalf of Fr. David, Deacon Bob, Deacon James and all of our pastoral leaders, I extend to you, the reader, hopes for a very blessed Easter season—we have fifty days to celebrate the accomplishment of the Lamb, once slain, who lives forever. Along with being pilgrims of hope in this jubilee year, please be ambassadors of hope and joy. Be sure to spread the word about the first Come and See dinner, being held on May 5, 2025 here at Saint Mary. More information is available in this bulletin and online.
May His peace and joy flood our souls,
Fr. Stephen
