Jn 19:25-34
25Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. 26When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” 27Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.
28After this, aware that everything was now finished, in order that the scripture might be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I thirst.” 29There was a vessel filled with common wine. So they put a sponge soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop and put it up to his mouth. 30When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, “It is finished.” And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit.
31Now since it was preparation day, in order that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath, for the sabbath day of that week was a solemn one, the Jews asked Pilate that their legs be broken and they be taken down. 32So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and then of the other one who was crucified with Jesus. 33But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs, 34but one soldier thrust his lance into his side, and immediately blood and water flowed out.
It is finished. We, Filipinos, love reflecting on the suffering and death of our Lord Jesus. Our many Holy Week practices speak of this love: the pabasa, the visita iglesia, the flagellants, and the Good Friday processions.
But I believe that the passion narratives are not only about Jesus’ suffering and death. They tell us more about Jesus’ life and passion for love and about his reaching out to bring his Father’s mercy. They also challenge us how to live like Jesus who lived his short life to the full, with no regrets and no wasted time.
Indeed, one who knows how to truly live knows how to truly die. In the movie The Last Samurai, upon learning of his teacher Samurai’s death, the emperor asked the Samurai’s companion, “Please tell me how he died.”
“No,” the companion answered, “I will tell you how he lived!”
In the end, the question is not how or where or when we die. The question is how we have lived. It is the dash between the years etched on our tombstone that will count.