You Are That Man

At the Fr Docherty's EF Mass last night, he preached an excellent sermon for Holy Week.

He started by reminding us how Nathan the prophet had told David a story of a rich man who had abused a poorer neighbour, and how David had reacted that such a man deserved punishment.  Nathan then confronted David with his own sins: You are that man!

He then talked about the Passion. How angry and shocked we feel, rightly, as we consider Judas, Pilate, the High Priest, Peter's betrayal... And how each of us should realise: You are that man!

But there are other figures, of course, in the story: Mary Magdalen, Veronica, Simon of Cyrene, Our Lady and St John at the foot of the Cross, the Centurion who recognised Christ's divinity at the last.  If we are courageous and faithful, then of us too it can be said: You are that man!

But at the centre of it all is the figure of Christ, crucified.  Love incarnate, who humbled himself to share in our humanity, in order, almost unbelievably, that we might share in His divinity. If we accept that invitation, to take up our Cross and follow Him, then mysteriously, as members of His mystical body, it can truly be said of each of us: You are that Man!