The Passion Gospel

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Last week I read an article about the downside of listening to the Passion Gospel each year, from childhood to adulthood. This expert (and I can't find the article now or I'd link) said that when we listen to it each year, we become desensitized to the violence Our Lord experienced, much like we become desensitized to other violence with too much television.

I found that to be an interesting observation. I don't know if it's true for all, but I suspect it's true for some. I know that when I was a child, my attention was held captive during the Passion Gospel. To hear those words, "Crucify Him, Crucify Him!" cried out in church, was a real shocker. It affected me to the degree that I wanted to cover my ears. I suppose that's the point, right?

And while I still listen very carefully -- I don't even follow along in the missal -- the words don't have the same impact that they used to. And when I was at Mass yesterday, I saw evidence in the yawning around me, that the Passion doesn't have the same impact for some others either.

I'm not suggesting that we do away with the Passion Gospel during the liturgy. And I don't think we need to reenact the crucifixion the way some churches do. Frankly, I don't even like it when some church readers try to get dramatic in their reading. Even though it is the Passion, it's still the Sunday Gospel.

However, I do think that we need to seek out other ways to remind ourselves that Christ suffered terribly when he died on the cross; that he was a human being with human feelings, and though he was Divine, he took on the suffering that was brought by his humanity. Our children need to learn how much the Lord loved us that he willingly suffered for us. It would be nice to believe that he was so Divine that the nails in His hands didn't hurt. But, that wouldn't be true. And it's easy to focus on the Resurrection and not dwell on the suffering. But just as the Crucifixion means little without the Resurrection, so does the Resurrection mean little without the Crucifixion. You cannot forget either.

I don't have any great suggestions for you (sorry to tell you that now). But, I think we need to talk with our children, first. That's a tough one. Kids don't always respond very well when we talk, at least mine don't. I think they start tuning out at about the third word -- my voice is like Charlie Brown's mother's. But I talk anyway. I remind them periodically about how much Jesus willingly suffered for them, and shouldn't they want to do something little for Jesus, like not fight with their sister? And, like other Catholic families, we have the crucifix in many of the rooms in our home. Just a glance at the crucified Lord will remind you.

We also use that great tool for capturing children's attention -- the television set. While I'm usually more inclined to turn it off than turn it on, this week we will watch the "Gospel of John" as a family. If you've never seen this movie, watch it. It captures the Passion and the poetic beauty of the language of John's Gospel wonderfully. It's long, so we will stretch it out over several days, but, if you have younger children, it's not as graphic as "The Passion." In year's past we have watched "The Passion," but we alternate.

We also keep our Good Friday afternoon as quiet as possible. I will pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet at the Hour of Mercy and invite the children to pray with me. We will turn off distracting electronics and, hopefully, contemplate the sacrifice Our Lord made for us.

And you, do you have any suggestions?

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