Making Humanity
An Unfinished Project, until Good Friday
Today is Good Friday, the day when we remember, rehearse, and retell the story of Jesus’ trial, death, and burial. What to say today? For me, it is also the day I have chosen to reflect on the 6th day of creation in Genesis chapter 1—the day when human males and females were made in the divine image. One further thought comes to mind today. John Behr the Eastern Orthodox priest and theologian wrote a marvelous text called The Mystery of Christ: Life in Death. In this book Behr argues “when Christ said ‘it is finished’ (Jn 19.30), he is not simply declaring that his earthly life has come to an end, but rather the work of God is now ‘fulfilled’ or ‘completed (p107).”
Behr utilizes St. Irenaeus and St. Ignatius, pulling on theological themes of martyrdom and humanity. Why? Because according to Behr’s reading of the church Father’s the project of humanity was not complete in Genesis, it is only when Christ hands his life over for the life of the world that the cosmos witnesses what humanity is meant for—self-giving love.
“Let us make mankind in our image” was being fulfilled or completed or brought to its climax when Pilate said “ecce homo” or “behold the man!” Christ is the meaning of not only God, but the fullest meaning of humanity.
Happy Good Friday