The memories about the death of Jesus on the cross on Calvary were very fresh in the minds of the apostles (and other disciples) and in the minds of the Jews and non-Jews in and around Jerusalem. What Saint Peter and other apostles experienced and proclaimed was something more than the actual event of the crucifixion.
They were speaking something beyond the death and burial of Jesus of Nazareth: “you that are Israelites, listen to what I have to say; Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God…this man … you crucified and killed…But raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power” (Acts 2:22 ff.)
It is a persuasion of Saint Peter placed before the listeners to look at Jesus of Nazareth, in the light of his resurrection from the dead. It is not just the physical image of the crucified Jesus still in front of them. He is no more alive on the cross at Calvary nor was there a cross with the image of the crucified Jesus. The apostles and the early Church went around with boldness and conviction about the truth of the Crucified Christ, fully human and fully divine, but who was known to the people of those days as “Jesus of Nazareth.”
We look at ourselves when we look at the Crucified but Victorious Christ: One cannot avoid looking at oneself while looking at the Crucified and victorious Christ unless one is so used to the words, images, signs and symbols that they do not evoke any feelings or thoughts. No one deliberately stops seeing and hearing what is placed within one’s reach.
But it can also happen that one is so filled with oneself or preoccupied with things that concern one’s life that one becomes blind and deaf to what is placed right within one’s reach. But we believe that God’s Word is like raindrops that enliven the vegetation on earth. We believe that the Word of God is like a double-edged sword that cuts through the deeper crevices of human hearts however hard and stubborn they might be!
In the Holy Season of Lent and in the Holy Week God has spoken to us who are the baptized members in the Christian Community and we have listened to God’s Word. We all prayed earnestly besides the observance of fasting and doing penance.Our focus was on Jesus Christ who suffered and died, and rose from the dead. The question is how open and receptive have we been to listen and respond to what is being spoken and presented. What impact have these celebrations made on our life.
Of course, one might say that a total change and transformation is not being possible. But this attitude should not become a justification to continue to remain the same despite all the active involvement and participation. Lenten Season and Easter celebrations should have led us to “a renewed encounter” with Jesus Christ? Encounters with Jesus Christ would have brought a renewed joy in Him and a transforming effect.
We look at the apostolic Community: As our Lord Himself said, this “crucified Christ” not only attracted and drew many people to him but also transformed them into bold and courageous witnesses. No wonder that Saint Paul writes many times in his letters that he preached about the “Crucified Christ,” a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles.” (1Cor 1:2).
Speaking about his personal relationship he says, “I have been crucified with Christ and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Gal 2:19b -20a). We must look not only at the Crucified Christ but at the Apostles and the apostolic community. Drawn towards Christ and believing in Christ, the members of the believing Community began to live a new life or adopted a new way of life. Fellowship and unity, and sharing with others what they had were the tangible and visible features.