So also will the Son of Man suffer at their hands

FRIDAY 14 DECEMBER (Mt 17,10-13)

Suffering both physical and spiritual is always the fruit of sin. If it is not always the fruit of personal sins, it is always the fruit of man’s sin. Sin can be visible and invisible, near or remote, direct and indirect, wanted or allowed. It is urgent to know that never sin stops its effects on the person who commits it, its consequences are for the whole humanity. What is true for sin, also applies to fidelity to the law and its obedience. Saint Paul reveals this truth in fullness of science and inspired doctrine in the Letter to the Romans: “Therefore, just as through one person sin entered the world, and through sin, death, and thus death came to all, inasmuch as all sinned –  for up to the time of the law, sin was in the world, though sin is not accounted when there is no law. But death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who did not sin after the pattern of the trespass of Adam, who is the type of the one who was to come. But the gift is not like the transgression. For if by that one person’s transgression the many died, how much more did the grace of God and the gracious gift of the one person Jesus Christ overflow for the many. And the gift is not like the result of the one person’s sinning. For after one sin there was the judgment that brought condemnation; but the gift, after many transgressions, brought acquittal. For if, by the transgression of one person, death came to reign through that one, how much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of justification come to reign in life through the one person Jesus Christ.”

This is how Paolo continues in his revelation: “In conclusion, just as through one transgression condemnation came upon all, so through one righteous act acquittal and life came to all. For just as through the disobedience of one person the many were made sinners, so through the obedience of one the many will be made righteous. The law entered in so that transgression might increase but, where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through through justification for eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Rm 5,12-21). The suffering of Christ has a twofold origin: in his will of obedience to the Father until the very end through great love and in the hatred of the world that has poured on Jesus for no reason. Hatred is always the fruit of a personal sin that governs the heart. Sin is taken from the heart and hatred also disappears. Having hatred and envy disappeard, one becomes just and collaborates with the Lord to create justice and truth in hearts. Sin always generates death. Obedience always bears grace and truth.

Then the disciples asked him, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” He said in reply, “Elijah will indeed come and restore all things; but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him but did to him whatever they pleased. So also will the Son of Man suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.

Having been sent by God to bear witness to truth and light, which is Christ Jesus, John the Baptist was killed by the hatred of Herodias, that in turn used the impurity of her daughter and the concupiscence and foolishness of Herod. Instead, Jesus will be crucified by the envy and hatred of the leaders of his people. Falsehood, lies, and sin have always hated and will always hate truth, light and justice. Jesus is the light of the world. The darkness, which hates the light, raged against Jesus until they had him be nailed to a cross. But we know that darkness has not power to turn off the light. Its victory was only for a few moments. Then Jesus rose again and clothed his body with immortal, divine, eternal light. His own body has been transformed into light, becoming spirit as God is spirit. Darkness will always attack the light to extinguish it. But it is not in its power to succeed. Only our sin succeeds.

Mother of God, Angels and Saints, make us light, truth and justice in Christ Jesus, the Crucifix.