Liturgy 076: Dad, Why Does Jesus Die?

Good Friday & Holy Saturday

Lectio Divina

I have been crucified with Christ;
it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.
Apostle Paul

Jesus did not come to change God’s mind about us.
He came to change our minds about God.
Fr. Rohr

A man may eat his dinner without understanding exactly how food nourishes him.
CS Lewis

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Prayer

She asks me—
innocent,
curious,
mind racing.

Dad, why does Jesus
die on a cross?

I pause.

And I make
my feeble attempt
to teach
to guide
to pastor
in that tender
child-initiated moment…

Zoe…
Jesus
was killed.

What?? Why? Why dad?

To some.
He was a criminal.

A Criminal? What did he do?

He had dinner with the wrong people.
He was too honest with people in power.
He was too stubborn to defend himself in a human court.

She looks at me confused.
I look back.

Maybe — for now,
we keep the Bible PG.
Like many paternal acts…
I’m not quite sure.

So tonight,
Jesus,
Savior from the powers of sin,
I pray.

Teach me.

Teach me to answer my daughter well—
not with a theory,
but with my life.

Like you
May I learn the names of those who have been outcast.
May I refuse to pick up the sword against corrupt systems.
May I pray for my enemies with blood on my lips.

And may Zoe and I
both, be conformed
to the image
of a crucified God.

Amen.

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Blessing

Go now,
not to conquer,
but to bless.

Walk into your ordinary life
as one who has seen the face of love
on a cross.

Let it soften you.
Let it sharpen your longing.
Let it stir something true.

And may the crucified Christ
remind you—
to die is to truly live.

In the Name of our LORD
Who listened well
to the criminal by his side.

Amen