Crucified Inwardly and Outwardly

Carmelite homily for Friday, March 27, 2020 – Lectionary 248 (John 7:1-2,25-30)

In today’s Gospel there’s a lot of upset.  Jesus has to go to Jerusalem, but in secret.  The people are murmuring.  The religious leaders want to arrest him.  Lots of upset.  Is there a lot of upset in your life?  Maybe John of the Cross has a solution.  He writes, “Crucified inwardly and outwardly with Christ and you will live in this life with fullness and satisfaction.”  Isn’t that a great substitute for upset – fullness and satisfaction?  But to be crucified with Christ means to put all that aside.  Let it go to the Cross.  And you live apart from all that.  Even Saint Paul says, “I have been crucified to the world and the world to me” (in Galatians).  Same idea.  A good topic, a good path for Lent.

Saint John of the Cross