Every year during Holy Week, I watch Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ — and every year I cry; and every year, I cry at the same scene.
I can watch the betrayal of Jesus by Judas; I can watch the Sanhedrin trail before Caiaphas; I can watch the brutal scourging; I can watch Jesus fall over and over, and look-on as people spit on Him and kick Him; I can keep it together as nails are driven into the flesh of His hands and He is lifted upright on a cross, all without shedding a tear.
However, every time Peter denies Our Lord, my heart and soul weep; my body quakes; and tears flow down my face.
This year, I was prepared. I told myself that I would not cry as the scene approached, but again, I could not hold back the tears.
How many times have I denied my Lord in my thoughts and words, in what I have done and what I have failed to do? More than three!
When I was a boy, I was once told by a priest in my home parish, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, that there’s a follower of Christ in scripture who represents each and everyone of us.
For years I thought that I was Thomas, Doubting Thomas, because I have always questioned and studied to not only understand, but to please my hunger for the Truth.
I thought, deep down, if given enough evidence, my faith would never waiver. Today, I have a library of evidence.
After watching The Passion, annually for the last decade and a half, I have sadly come to realize that I am Simon Peter, Cephas, Kepha. I am someone who denies the Lord.
Denies, plural and in the present tense.
I so want to be Simon Peter, the Rock, but the sad reality is that I am not, and I may never be.
Who in scripture are you? Have you ever pondered that question?
Maybe you are Peter, as well? Or Andrew? Or James? John? Philip? Bartholomew? Thomas? Matthew? James the Lesser? Jude? Simon the Zealot? Matthias? Saul? Mary Magdalene? Martha? Mary? Lazarus?
The truth is: The person we are eventually supposed to be most like is Jesus Christ. And, like my Lord, every time I fall, I pick up my cross and carry on!
As Christians, we carry on even if we need someone else to carry our cross for us!
This Holy Good Friday, maybe you can join me and pray, “Forgive me, Lord. Have mercy on me and on the whole world” and then pick up your cross and carry on.
James Henry is the author of Corporation YOU: A Business Plan for the Soul, and two children’s books The Second Prince and Klaus: The Gift-giver to ALL! For six years, James taught At-Risk kids in Los Angeles. Today, he lives in New York where he continues to teach and write. To contact James or book an interview, please contact Mark of Goldman & McCormick PR at (516) 639-0988 or Mark@goldmanmccormick.com.
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