The Solemn Resolve of Good Friday

 

Good Friday

Ernest Gordon, a U.S. chaplain during World War II, tells the story about an event that transpired while he was incarcerated in a Japanese Prisoner of War Camp.  The P.O.W.'s were pressed into work constructing a railroad and at the end of each day all the tools were meticulously counted.  One particular day, the Japanese guard declared a shovel was missing.  The commander of the detail insisted one of the P.O.W.s had stolen it, presumably to sell it to one of the local villagers who were constantly passing through the work site.  He insisted the person responsible identify himself by stepping forward.  When no solder moved, the commander became livid and again demanded to know who had stolen the shovel.  Finally he shouted in an uncontrollable rage all would die unless the thief came forward.  He then raised his rifle to take aim and there was no doubt he meant what he said.

Just before the commander was about to pull the trigger on his weapon, a Scottish soldier stepped forward, stood at attention, and said, “I did it.”  Immediately the commander unleashed all of his fury on the man, bringing his rifle butt crashing down upon the prisoner’s head.  He kicked him repeatedly and beat him with his fists.  The soldier sank to the ground and did not move.  Everyone knew he was dead but the guard continued to beat his lifeless body until personal exhaustion forced him to stop.

The other men in the work detail grimly lifted their comrade’s body and carried it back to camp.  There, the chaplain conducted a simple, but dignified burial service.  Later, the tools were counted again at the guard house and it was discovered no shovel was missing after all.

The Scottish soldier who did not deserve to die himself still willingly took upon himself the pain of a horrible death so that his brethren might be saved.  Gordon saw in the death of the soldier illumination into the death of our Lord, who also took upon himself the painful punishment for sins which he did not commit so that others might live.

We give thanks this day that our Lord and friend was willing to pay the penalty for offenses we committed.  There can be no question his death on the Cross so many years ago atones for our sins.  Surely this day leads us to a kind of introspection to examine and ponder the huge debt he paid on our behalf.  The events we heard detailed just moments ago in the readings from scripture can lead us no other direction.

The liturgy of the Good Friday service also calls us to ponder an equally important aspect of this day.  In a few moments we will read the Solemn Collects, some of the most powerful biddings and prayers our church has to offer.

Pay attention to the Solemn Collects.  They are not a confession.  They are not a hymn of praise.  They are prayers for the holy Catholic Church, for all nations and peoples of the world, for all who suffer in body or mind, and for all who have not received the Gospel of Christ.  In short, our work of prayer through these solemn collects continues the work of Christ in this world; a work cut short by his death on the Cross.

The liturgy leads us not to lament our sins, but to renew our commitment to Christ’s mission of compassion.  As the collects come to a close, I will make this bidding,

“Let us commit ourselves to our God and pray for the grace of a holy life, that with all who have departed this world and died in the peace of Christ, and those whose faith is known to God alone, we may be accounted worthy to enter into the fullness of the joy of our Lord, and receive the crown of life in the day of resurrection.”

When Chaplain Gordon tells the story of the Scottish soldier, he says, yes, of course the P.O.W.s were angered by the injustice of his death.  But more than this, they were determined and inspired to struggle and fight for their survival and eventual freedom.  They realized the terrible price one man paid for their lives and committed themselves anew to making sure it was not given in vain.  In the end, his death became their resolve. 

It is not enough this day to look at the Cross and feel personal remorse.  Our Church does not even offer this as a spiritual direction by providing a confession in today's liturgy.  Rather we are told our resolve must be strengthened by the events we remember today.  We are to rededicate ourselves to the mission and work of Jesus Christ.