The Universal Exaltation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross.
Day of strict fast. Abstention from meat and foods that contain meat.
1 Corinthians 1:18-24; John 19:6-11, 13-20, 25-28, 30-35.
Read John 19:6-11, 13-20, 25-28, 30-35
In film making, a slow pan is a gradual, horizontal camera movement that establishes a location. It strategically unveils details or characters, influencing the audience’s understanding of the narrative. A close-up, on the other hand, uses a tightly framed shot to draw the audience’s attention to a character’s face, emphasizing emotions and creating a sense of intimacy. It allows directors to convey inner thoughts and establish a deeper connection between the audience and characters.
Today’s gospel is a heavily edited reading of John 19. It removes the slow pan, mostly parts involving the Roman soldiers, and concentrates on the close-up – Jesus saying to Pilate, “You would have no power over me unless it had been given you from above; therefore he who delivered me to you has the greater sin.” This brings into focus that the heart of the conflict is between Jesus and the Pharisees. “Crucify him!” becomes the focus of the narrative, a single-minded rejection and murder with no room for reconsideration. Commitment to this act is locked in with no deviation. It is a resolute act of the will.
The scene at the cross reveals that Pilate’s power was indeed only permitted from above, that our Lord had been exercising his agency all along. He speaks and acts with full awareness of his scripturally ordained mission and his, “It is finished,” is the final word on who was acting with power in the whole event.
When others exercising their will to power threatens everything and everyone around us, it is no less the case that they too would have no power unless it was by God’s permissive will. Likewise, his power will be revealed in our lives as we follow our Lord on our cross-carrying journey.