Love, Not Blame: Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion

Carrying the Cross, photographed at the Convento da Graça, Lisbon

“No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again.”John 10:18

In this image, Christ bears the Cross with eyes full of sorrow and strength. The crown of thorns, the heavy wood, the quiet surrender. Behind him, the Cross glows in stained glass, not as a symbol of blame, but of glory freely embraced. He is not dragged. He chooses. And that choice is love.

The Passion of Jesus

“The Passion narratives are proclaimed in full so that all see vividly the love of Christ for each person.” – USCCB Introduction to the Passion

Every year on Good Friday, we hear the story again: the betrayal, the arrest, the trial, the crowd, the Cross. It is raw. It is painful. And it can raise hard questions:Who killed Jesus? Why did He have to die? Who is to blame?

But these are the wrong questions.

Jesus Himself gives us the answer: “No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own” (John 10:18). The Passion is not a story of blame. It is a story of love. It is a love that lays itself down freely, not to condemn, but to save.

We must be careful, then, not to twist the story. For too long, some have used the Passion to accuse "the Jews", forgetting that Jesus was Jewish. Mary was Jewish. The apostles were Jewish. The early Church was Jewish. The Passion is not about one people against another. It is about what sin does. And what love does in response.

Jesus died because he chose to.
Because sin breaks hearts, and he wanted to heal them.
Because injustice cries out, and he would not remain silent.
Because hatred destroys, and he came to bring peace.

Who killed Jesus? We did. Not “they,” but we: every time we choose pride, greed, disregard, cruelty. And also: He did. He chose to die. so that we might live.

On Good Friday, we don't look for villains.
We look for meaning.
We don't point fingers.
We open our hearts.
We don’t blame.
We believe in a love stronger than sin, stronger than death.

Pray

Lord Jesus, you carried the Cross with eyes wide open, knowing the pain ahead, and still choosing love.
May we never use your suffering to judge or divide.
Help us carry our crosses with your same mercy.
Help us live your kindness, the kind that saves.
Amen.

Photo: Karen Curjel, Lisbon, Portugal