Lisa Reece

Pope Leo XIV became only the second pope to carry the Cross throughout the entire Way of the Cross at Rome’s Colosseum on Good Friday. Video: Vatican Media

It is finished

Today is Holy Thursday, the day the Passion of the Christ begins. After washing the feet of His disciples and offering His own Body and Blood at the Last Supper, Christ retreats to the Garden of Gethsemane. He knows exactly what is coming. The scourging, the thorns, the agonizing weight of the cross. The burden of every sin in human history crushes down on Him until He sweats drops of blood into the dirt. Before a single Roman soldier laid a hand on Him, the sheer psychological and spiritual terror of what He was about to absorb crushed Him so violently that His capillaries burst, bleeding through His pores into the soil. Friday was the physical execution, but Thursday night was the ultimate battle of the Will. This is the exact moment He looked into the terrifying abyss, accepted the cup of God's wrath, and said: "Not my will, but Yours be done." He didn't wait to be captured. He fought and won the war in His own soul before the enemy even marched up the mountain. In His darkest hour of dread, He looks to His closest companions for support. He finds them fast asleep. Their comfort won over their loyalty. Shortly after, the heavy silence of the garden is shattered by the arrival of the mob, the glow of torches, the drawing of swords, and the ultimate betrayal sealed with a kiss from a friend. Tonight, the altars are stripped completely bare. The tabernacles are left open and empty. The Church descends into mourning. The modern world continues to trade Him for silver, mock Him for cheap applause, and sleep soundly through the spiritual war. Do not be like the sleeping Apostles. The Passion has begun. Hold the line.