Good Friday

Title

The Scapegoat

Outline

Rene Girard wrote of the human tendency to scapegoat

That is, the human tendency to load their fears, denials, and sins onto someone or some group to which they do not belong and to punish the person or persons to remove those things from the larger group

Others have written of the power of fear versus the power of calmness

Both are on display in these readings which I am looking at selectively, for large books can be written on them

First, the power of fear versus calmness

We will not see that in Jesus, who in John in particular is in full control.

We will see that in Pilate, who starts off appearing to be contemptuous of the Jewish leaders, willing to dismiss the case to spite them, and then is captured by fear when the Jewish leaders say that Jesus claimed to be the Son of God. He desperately tries to release Jesus, but then the Jewish leaders trap him between his fear of Jesus and his fear of Caesar, with whom he had a shaky political relationship, and the human fear defeats him. He gives in and certainly rationalizes his giving in. “They made me do it.”

We see that in Peter. His flight or fight response makes him choose attack in the Garden, for it is what he had promised to do, but when Jesus stops the attack and submits to arrest, it turns to fear, as the General Activating Syndrome often does, so when the unnamed highly placed disciple gets Peter into the courtyard Peter gradually collapses in fear, first to the slave woman who kept the door (who could not threaten him other than expose him), then to the group of slaves and guards (who simply question him), and finally to the relative of Malcus, whose ear Peter had cut off (who thought he recognized Peter from the Garden). Peter’s fight turns into total flight and we do not see him again until Easter - perhaps he was wailing or huddled in a corner in the Cenacle.

We see the opposite in the Disciple who Jesus Loved, who may or may not be the same as the highly placed disciple who got Peter into the courtyard. He does not show up clearly until the crucifixion where he is standing with Mary, perhaps already comforting her. He never speaks. Instead he is at the right place at the right time. We last see him guiding Mary off to his house, her new home.

We see that same opposite in Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea. We don’t know if it was fear that brought Nicodemus to Jesus by night or a desire for an uninterrupted talk. He does speak up a couple of times in the Pharisaic group, each time making a careful suggestion trying to calm the hostility to Jesus. Now there is no one to calm. He and Joseph openly care for Jesus’ body, probably not observed by Jesus’ enemies who were starting Passover. Yet because of their corpse uncleanness their absence in corporate gatherings would be noticed. In their calmness they do the right thing.

Second, the power of scapegoating versus reason

We know that the High Priestly clans and the Pharisees feared Jesus and thought that as a Messiah he would cause a revolution that God would not support but which would result in the destruction of the nation.

Jesus had attracted enough of that fear that they had decided he must die. Thus they ignore the betrayal, abuse Jesus before trial, and unwittingly call Jesus “Son of God”, which is very different from Messiah. No, Jesus is the cause of all their fear and guilt.

The peak comes when they ask for Barabbas, that unknown man (Son of a Father, or Son of Abba) who “was a revolutionary”). They ask for the man who was precisely what they were afraid that Jesus was. The result is that Jesus is crucified between two of Barabbas’ henchmen and the title on the cross points out the Jewish leaders as against Messianic movements.

But, of course, Hebrews and John make clear that Jesus was the scapegoat of the Day of Atonement, for he did carry the sins and then entered the Most Holy Place.

Their finger pointing and blaming had led to scapegoating that so blinded their rationality that Pilate sees better than they do the reality of what is going on.

Sisters, there are two applications I can make to this

The first is that we need to deal with fear and realize that too much zeal or that trauma in our lives can lead to fear. If we do not face our fear we will collapse under pressure - physically, emotionally, or spiritually.

The second is that society in general and Christians in general tend to scapegoat and point the finger rather than face what is in them. That can lead to horrible results, but in particular it leads to the loss of rationality, what makes us human.

The response to both of these is calmness and recollection. It is out of this inner space that we can know what God is calling us to do and go against the crowd so that we are standing at the side of Jesus while others are absent due to fear or taking satisfaction in his crucifixion.

I realize that there is so much more here, but your recollected contemplation will draw out that God is saying to you.

Readings

Catholic Daily Readings 4-15-2022: Good Friday

FIRST READING

Isaiah 52:13–53:12

13 See, my servant shall prosper,

he shall be raised high and greatly exalted.

14 Even as many were amazed at him—

so marred were his features,

beyond that of mortals

his appearance, beyond that of human beings—

15 So shall he startle many nations,

kings shall stand speechless;

For those who have not been told shall see,

those who have not heard shall ponder it.

CHAPTER 53

1 Who would believe what we have heard?

To whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?

2 He grew up like a sapling before him,

like a shoot from the parched earth;

He had no majestic bearing to catch our eye,

no beauty to draw us to him.

3 He was spurned and avoided by men,

a man of suffering, knowing pain,

Like one from whom you turn your face,

spurned, and we held him in no esteem.

4 Yet it was our pain that he bore,

our sufferings he endured.

We thought of him as stricken,

struck down by God and afflicted,

5 But he was pierced for our sins,

crushed for our iniquity.

He bore the punishment that makes us whole,

by his wounds we were healed.

6 We had all gone astray like sheep,

all following our own way;

But the LORD laid upon him

the guilt of us all.

7 Though harshly treated, he submitted

and did not open his mouth;

Like a lamb led to slaughter

or a sheep silent before shearers,

he did not open his mouth.

8 Seized and condemned, he was taken away.

Who would have thought any more of his destiny?

For he was cut off from the land of the living,

struck for the sins of his people.

9 He was given a grave among the wicked,

a burial place with evildoers,

Though he had done no wrong,

nor was deceit found in his mouth.

10 But it was the LORD’s will to crush him with pain.

By making his life as a reparation offering,

he shall see his offspring, shall lengthen his days,

and the LORD’s will shall be accomplished through him.

11 Because of his anguish he shall see the light;

because of his knowledge he shall be content;

My servant, the just one, shall justify the many,

their iniquity he shall bear.

12 Therefore I will give him his portion among the many,

and he shall divide the spoils with the mighty,

Because he surrendered himself to death,

was counted among the transgressors,

Bore the sins of many,

and interceded for the transgressors.

Catholic Daily Readings 4-15-2022: Good Friday

RESPONSE

Luke 23:46

46 Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit”; and when he had said this he breathed his last.

PSALM

Psalm 31:2, 6, 12–13, 15–17, 25

2 In you, LORD, I take refuge;

let me never be put to shame.

In your righteousness deliver me;

6 Into your hands I commend my spirit;

you will redeem me, LORD, God of truth.

12 To all my foes I am a thing of scorn,

and especially to my neighbors

a horror to my friends.

When they see me in public,

they quickly shy away.

13 I am forgotten, out of mind like the dead;

I am like a worn-out tool.

15 But I trust in you, LORD;

I say, “You are my God.”

16 My destiny is in your hands;

rescue me from my enemies,

from the hands of my pursuers.

17 Let your face shine on your servant;

save me in your mercy.

25 Be strong and take heart,

all who hope in the LORD.

Catholic Daily Readings 4-15-2022: Good Friday

SECOND READING

Hebrews 4:14–16, 5:7–9

14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin. 16 So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.

7 In the days when he was in the flesh, he offered prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. 8 Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered; 9 and when he was made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him,

Catholic Daily Readings 4-15-2022: Good Friday

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Philippians 2:8–9

8 he humbled himself,

becoming obedient to death,

even death on a cross.

9 Because of this, God greatly exalted him

and bestowed on him the name

that is above every name,

GOSPEL

John 18:1–19:42

1 When he had said this, Jesus went out with his disciples across the Kidron valley to where there was a garden, into which he and his disciples entered. 2 Judas his betrayer also knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. 3 So Judas got a band of soldiers and guards from the chief priests and the Pharisees and went there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. 4 Jesus, knowing everything that was going to happen to him, went out and said to them, “Whom are you looking for?” 5 They answered him, “Jesus the Nazorean.” He said to them, “I AM.” Judas his betrayer was also with them. 6 When he said to them, “I AM,” they turned away and fell to the ground. 7 So he again asked them, “Whom are you looking for?” They said, “Jesus the Nazorean.” 8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I AM. So if you are looking for me, let these men go.” 9  This was to fulfill what he had said, “I have not lost any of those you gave me.” 10 Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear. The slave’s name was Malchus. 11 Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its scabbard. Shall I not drink the cup that the Father gave me?”

12 So the band of soldiers, the tribune, and the Jewish guards seized Jesus, bound him, 13 and brought him to Annas first. He was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. 14 It was Caiaphas who had counseled the Jews that it was better that one man should die rather than the people.

15 Simon Peter and another disciple followed Jesus. Now the other disciple was known to the high priest, and he entered the courtyard of the high priest with Jesus. 16 But Peter stood at the gate outside. So the other disciple, the acquaintance of the high priest, went out and spoke to the gatekeeper and brought Peter in. 17 Then the maid who was the gatekeeper said to Peter, “You are not one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” 18 Now the slaves and the guards were standing around a charcoal fire that they had made, because it was cold, and were warming themselves. Peter was also standing there keeping warm.

19 The high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his doctrine. 20 Jesus answered him, “I have spoken publicly to the world. I have always taught in a synagogue or in the temple area where all the Jews gather, and in secret I have said nothing. 21 Why ask me? Ask those who heard me what I said to them. They know what I said.” 22 When he had said this, one of the temple guards standing there struck Jesus and said, “Is this the way you answer the high priest?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken wrongly, testify to the wrong; but if I have spoken rightly, why do you strike me?” 24 Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.

25 Now Simon Peter was standing there keeping warm. And they said to him, “You are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” 26 One of the slaves of the high priest, a relative of the one whose ear Peter had cut off, said, “Didn’t I see you in the garden with him?” 27 Again Peter denied it. And immediately the cock crowed.

28 Then they brought Jesus from Caiaphas to the praetorium. It was morning. And they themselves did not enter the praetorium, in order not to be defiled so that they could eat the Passover. 29 So Pilate came out to them and said, “What charge do you bring [against] this man?” 30 They answered and said to him, “If he were not a criminal, we would not have handed him over to you.” 31 At this, Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves, and judge him according to your law.” The Jews answered him, “We do not have the right to execute anyone,” 32 in order that the word of Jesus might be fulfilled that he said indicating the kind of death he would die. 33 So Pilate went back into the praetorium and summoned Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Do you say this on your own or have others told you about me?” 35 Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom did belong to this world, my attendants [would] be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not here.” 37 So Pilate said to him, “Then you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say I am a king. For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” 38 Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”

When he had said this, he again went out to the Jews and said to them, “I find no guilt in him. 39 But you have a custom that I release one prisoner to you at Passover. Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” 40 They cried out again, “Not this one but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a revolutionary.

CHAPTER 19

1  Then Pilate took Jesus and had him scourged. 2 And the soldiers wove a crown out of thorns and placed it on his head, and clothed him in a purple cloak, 3 and they came to him and said, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they struck him repeatedly. 4 Once more Pilate went out and said to them, “Look, I am bringing him out to you, so that you may know that I find no guilt in him.” 5 So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple cloak. And he said to them, “Behold, the man!” 6 When the chief priests and the guards saw him they cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him. I find no guilt in him.” 7 The Jews answered, “We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.” 8 Now when Pilate heard this statement, he became even more afraid, 9 and went back into the praetorium and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?” Jesus did not answer him. 10 So Pilate said to him, “Do you not speak to me? Do you not know that I have power to release you and I have power to crucify you?” 11 Jesus answered [him], “You would have no power over me if it had not been given to you from above. For this reason the one who handed me over to you has the greater sin.” 12 Consequently, Pilate tried to release him; but the Jews cried out, “If you release him, you are not a Friend of Caesar. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar.”

13 When Pilate heard these words he brought Jesus out and seated him on the judge’s bench in the place called Stone Pavement, in Hebrew, Gabbatha. 14 It was preparation day for Passover, and it was about noon. And he said to the Jews, “Behold, your king!” 15 They cried out, “Take him away, take him away! Crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your king?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.” 16 Then he handed him over to them to be crucified.

So they took Jesus, 17 and carrying the cross himself he went out to what is called the Place of the Skull, in Hebrew, Golgotha. 18 There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, with Jesus in the middle. 19 Pilate also had an inscription written and put on the cross. It read, “Jesus the Nazorean, the King of the Jews.” 20 Now many of the Jews read this inscription, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek. 21 So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write ‘The King of the Jews,’ but that he said, ‘I am the King of the Jews.’ ” 22 Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.”

23 When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four shares, a share for each soldier. They also took his tunic, but the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from the top down. 24 So they said to one another, “Let’s not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it will be,” in order that the passage of scripture might be fulfilled [that says]:

“They divided my garments among them,

and for my vesture they cast lots.”

This is what the soldiers did. 25  Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. 26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.

28 After this, aware that everything was now finished, in order that the scripture might be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I thirst.” 29 There was a vessel filled with common wine. So they put a sponge soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop and put it up to his mouth. 30 When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, “It is finished.” And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit.

31 Now since it was preparation day, in order that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath, for the sabbath day of that week was a solemn one, the Jews asked Pilate that their legs be broken and they be taken down. 32 So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and then of the other one who was crucified with Jesus. 33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs, 34  but one soldier thrust his lance into his side, and immediately blood and water flowed out. 35 An eyewitness has testified, and his testimony is true; he knows that he is speaking the truth, so that you also may [come to] believe. 36 For this happened so that the scripture passage might be fulfilled:

“Not a bone of it will be broken.”

37 And again another passage says:

“They will look upon him whom they have pierced.”

38 After this, Joseph of Arimathea, secretly a disciple of Jesus for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate if he could remove the body of Jesus. And Pilate permitted it. So he came and took his body. 39 Nicodemus, the one who had first come to him at night, also came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes weighing about one hundred pounds. 40 They took the body of Jesus and bound it with burial cloths along with the spices, according to the Jewish burial custom. 41 Now in the place where he had been crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had yet been buried. 42 So they laid Jesus there because of the Jewish preparation day; for the tomb was close by.

Notes

Catholic Daily Readings 4-15-2022: Good Friday

FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 2022 | EASTER TRIDUUM

GOOD FRIDAY

YEARS ABC | ROMAN MISSAL | LECTIONARY

First Reading Isaiah 52:13–53:12

Response Luke 23:46

Psalm Psalm 31:2, 6, 12–13, 15–17, 25

Second Reading Hebrews 4:14–16, 5:7–9

Gospel Acclamation Philippians 2:8–9

Gospel John 18:1–19:42

Red