The Fruit of Silence

By Fr. Christopher Foeckler, MJ •  St. Josaphat Formation Center • Phoenix, AZ

My favorite scene from the movie The Passion is when Jesus falls under the weight of the Cross and Mary rushes to comfort him. In the movie, Jesus assures His Mother, albeit gasping and panting: “Behold, Mother, I make all things new!” This is a marvelous interpretation of that profound encounter between the burdened Lord and His sorrowing Mother on the way to Calvary that tradition records in the 4th Station of the Cross. It is such a special scene that great Saints have hesitated to impose anything but a reverent silence upon the exchange of those two Hearts. Yet, the movie dares to add that phrase, which I believe captures so beautifully the attitude of the Lord in embracing His heavy Cross while at the same time attempting to console His dear Mother with the hope of final victory. They are, in fact, words of the Lord found in the Book of Revelation 21:5 in His Triumph, and still so apt in the this moment of His Passion.

The words reflect the attitude that the Lord had toward His suffering – the drinking of the ‘cup’ that the Father asked of Him. These words belie any self-pity or “woe is me” or “why me?” sentiment. Rather, the Lord embraces His Cross and bears it with as much fortitude as His beaten body can afford. Just as when the betrayer approached with the soldiers and Jesus stepped forward from His agony with such vigor responding, “I am He! Let these others go!” the guards all fell back on the ground.

“I make all things new!” reveals a sense of purpose and even of muted bravado in the attitude of the Lord toward His suffering and pending death on the Cross He bears. He knows what He is doing and embraces it wholeheartedly – for the glory of His Father in Heaven and for the redemption of us poor sinners. As when later He assures the good thief most emphatically of entering Paradise with Him this very day upon his faith-filled request to be remembered in His Kingdom. This sense of purpose is to give hope to His Mother in her grief and fear, as well as to all and each of us in any difficult or sorrowful circumstance of our lives and of our loved ones. Our Lord assures us that He can and will make all things new for those who believe in Him.

What is your favorite scene from the Passion of the Lord or of His Glorious Resurrection? Prayerfully consider it. Many blessing and graces to you all this Holy Week and Easter!

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