The Silence of Christ’s Death
For three days, the victory of darkness over light plunged the earth into a thick silence and a terrible anguish. The Messiah had died, and the silence of his death seemed to have had the last word. God himself seemed silent. His Son felt alone, abandoned to the torments of the cross. This was the most terrible moment of his earthly life. He was on the verge of death. Jesus had lost his strength and his blood. When he was nothing more than an exhausted, dyinq man, he uttered a great cry.
He was leaving this world and his Father had not shown the slightest word of comfort. Certainly the Virgin Mary, and Saint John were st the foot of the cross. But this sweet presence did not prevent him from shouting with all his strength that he had left: My God, My God, why have you deserted me? (Mt27:46). Jesus suffered from the apparent absence of God, but the confidence that he had always had in his Father did not fade. A few split seconds after this cry of pain, he prayed one last time to the Almighty for his executioners: Father, forgive them; they do not know what they are doing. And he expired, saying: Father, into your hands I commit my spirit (Lk 23:34,46).
On this earth, the only silence that must be sought is the one that belongs to God. Because the silence of God alone is victorious. The heavy silence of Christ’s death was of short duration, and it gave rise to life.
The silence of Jesus’ death transforms, purifies, and appeases man. It causes him to be in communion with the sufferings and death of Christ, to come back fully into the divine life. This is the great silence of the Transfiguration because, unless a wheat grain falls on the ground and dies, it remains only a single grain; but if it dies, it yields a rich harvest. Anyone who loves his life loses it; anyone who hates his life in this world will keep it for the eternal life. If a man serves me, he must follow me (Jn 12:24-26).
Cardinal Robert Sara
Cardinal Sarah is the Prefect of the Congregation for the Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments