HOMILY: “NEAR THE CROSS” - John 19:23–30
“NEAR THE CROSS”
John
19:23–30
1. Introduction – The Two Groups at Calvary
On Calvary,
many people were present.
Some mocked
Jesus.
Some watched from a distance.
Some were afraid.
But the
Gospel of John tells us that eight people were very close to the Cross.
Two
different groups stood there:
First
group:
Four Roman soldiers.
Second
group:
Four faithful followers of Jesus.
Both groups
were near the Cross, but their reasons were completely different.
The
soldiers were there because of duty.
The
disciples were there because of love.
This
contrast reveals a very important spiritual truth.
Even today,
people can be near Jesus physically, but far from Him spiritually.
2. The Cry of the Human Heart
Deep within
every human person, there is a cry.
It is not
always spoken with words, but it exists in the heart of every man and woman.
The human
heart cries for:
• love
• forgiveness
• meaning
• hope
• salvation
Many people
try to silence this cry in different ways.
Some seek
satisfaction in wealth.
Some seek power.
Some seek pleasure.
Some seek recognition.
But none of
these things can satisfy the deepest hunger of the human soul.
That is why
the Cross of Christ is so powerful.
The Cross
answers the deepest cry of the human heart.
When a
person stands near the Cross, he realizes:
“I am
loved.”
“I am
forgiven.”
“My life
has meaning.”
The Cross
tells every wounded heart:
You are not
abandoned.
You are not forgotten.
You are loved by God.
3. The First Group – The Four Roman Soldiers (Near the Cross Out of
Duty)
John 19:23
says:
“When the
soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his garments and divided them into four
parts, one for each soldier.”
These
soldiers were standing very close to the Cross.
But they
did not understand the mystery of what was happening.
To them,
Jesus was just another criminal.
They were
doing their job.
Nothing
more.
3.1 A Heart Without Faith
While Jesus
was suffering, the soldiers were busy dividing His clothes.
They even
gambled for His tunic.
Imagine the
scene.
The Savior
of the world is dying.
And the
soldiers are playing games.
This shows
the tragedy of the human heart.
A person
can stand very close to the Cross, yet remain spiritually blind.
3.2 A Warning for Us
Even today
some Christians behave like these soldiers.
They are
close to the Church.
They attend
Mass.
They
participate in religious activities.
But their
hearts remain untouched.
Faith
becomes routine.
Prayer
becomes habit.
Religion
becomes duty.
But love is
missing.
Standing
near the Cross physically does not mean we are close to Christ spiritually.
4. The Second Group – The Four Who Stood Near the Cross Out of Love
In contrast
to the soldiers, the Gospel mentions another group.
John 19:25
tells us:
“Standing
by the cross of Jesus were his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of
Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.”
And also the
beloved disciple John.
These
people stood near the Cross not because they had to, but because they loved
Jesus.
Love kept
them there.
Faith kept
them there.
Courage
kept them there.
Let us look
at them one by one.
5. Mary – The Mother of Jesus
Mary stood
beneath the Cross.
Thirty-three
years earlier she held the baby Jesus in Bethlehem.
Now she
sees Him crucified.
A mother
watching her son suffer is one of the greatest pains in the world.
The
prophecy of Simeon was fulfilled:
“A sword
will pierce your own soul.” (Luke 2:35)
Mary could
have collapsed in grief.
She could
have walked away.
But she did
not.
She stood
near the Cross.
Mary
teaches us the meaning of faithful love.
Love
remains even when the heart is broken.
6. Salome – The Faithful Disciple
Another
woman near the Cross was Salome, the sister of Mary.
She had
followed Jesus during His ministry.
She had
served Him with generosity.
Now she
stands near the Cross with courage.
When many
disciples disappeared in fear, these women remained.
They teach
us that discipleship requires courage.
Faith
sometimes means standing with Christ when the world rejects Him.
7. Mary Magdalene – The Woman Transformed by Mercy
Mary
Magdalene also stood near the Cross.
Jesus had
delivered her from evil spirits.
Her life
had been completely transformed.
She never
forgot what Jesus had done for her.
That is why
she remained near the Cross.
Gratitude
gave her courage.
A person
who truly experiences God's mercy will never abandon the Savior.
8. John – The Beloved Disciple
The only
apostle present was John.
Many
apostles ran away.
Peter
denied Jesus.
But John
remained.
Why?
Because love
is stronger than fear.
John had
rested on the heart of Jesus at the Last Supper.
Now he
stands beneath the Cross.
Love keeps
him faithful.
9. The Spiritual Meaning of These Two Groups
Calvary
reveals a profound truth.
There are
always two types of people near the Cross.
The Soldiers
Near the
Cross out of duty.
The Disciples
Near the
Cross out of love.
The same
question confronts every Christian.
Why are we
near Christ?
Because of
habit?
Because of
obligation?
Or because
of love?
10. The Words of Jesus from the Cross
When we
stand near the Cross, we hear the voice of Jesus.
Jesus
speaks words that change human history.
“Father,
forgive them.”
Forgiveness.
“Today you
will be with me in paradise.”
Mercy.
“Woman,
behold your son.”
A new spiritual family.
“I thirst.”
Jesus thirsts for human love.
“It is
finished.”
The work of salvation is complete.
“Father,
into your hands I commend my spirit.”
Perfect surrender.
The Cross
is the place where heaven touches earth.
11. Spiritual Diagnosis
Let us
examine our hearts.
Many people
follow Jesus when life is easy.
But when
suffering comes, they move away from the Cross.
The Cross
tests our faith.
The Cross
reveals the truth of our love.
Jesus said:
“Whoever
wants to follow me must take up his cross.” (Luke 9:23)
Discipleship
is not comfort.
It is
commitment.
12. Spiritual Contrast
Calvary
presents a powerful spiritual contrast.
Two groups
stood near the Cross.
The Soldiers
They were
near the Cross physically.
But their
hearts were far away.
They saw
only a dying man.
They did
not recognize the Savior.
The Faithful Disciples
They stood
near the Cross because they loved Jesus.
They saw
suffering.
But they
also saw faith, sacrifice, and redemption.
This
contrast exists even today.
Some people
are near the Church but far from Christ.
Others
remain faithful even in suffering.
The
question every Christian must ask is this:
Which group
do I belong to?
Am I near
Christ only in appearance?
Or am I
near Him with a loving heart?
Lent is a
time to examine this honestly.
13. Illustration – The Difference Between Duty and Love
A nurse
once worked in a hospital caring for patients.
She did her
work perfectly.
But
everything she did was only duty.
One day her
own mother was admitted to the hospital.
Suddenly
her attitude changed.
Now she
served with tenderness.
Why?
Because love
changes the way we serve.
The
soldiers served out of duty.
The
disciples remained out of love.
Love makes
sacrifice meaningful.
14. The Call of the Hour
The Cross
is asking us today:
Why are you
near Jesus?
Because of
tradition?
Because of
routine?
Or because
of love?
Lent
invites us to move from duty to love.
Not
mechanical faith.
But
passionate faith.
15. This Week's Action
During this
Lenten season:
• Spend
time praying before the Crucifix.
• Reflect on the Passion of Christ.
• Go for confession.
• Forgive someone who hurt you.
• Offer your suffering to God.
These
practices bring us closer to the Cross.
16. Pastoral Reflection
The Church
is like a spiritual hospital.
People come
wounded by sin and suffering.
But near
the Cross, healing begins.
The Word of
God works like spiritual medicine.
The
Sacraments restore life.
The Cross
is the place where wounded humanity finds hope.
17. Conclusion – Which Group Are We In?
At Calvary,
there were two groups.
The
soldiers.
And the
faithful disciples.
Both stood
near the Cross.
But their
hearts were very different.
The
soldiers were near out of duty.
The
disciples were near out of love.
My dear
brothers and sisters,
Lent
invites us to ask a serious question:
Are we near
the Cross because we must?
Or because
we love Christ?
Let us
become disciples who remain near the Cross.
Because
near the Cross we find:
Forgiveness.
Healing.
Hope.
And eternal
life.
18. Prayer
Lord Jesus,
You gave
your life for us on the Cross.
Help us to
stand near your Cross with faith and love.
Remove the
hardness from our hearts.
Teach us to
follow you not out of duty alone, but out of deep love.
Touch every wounded heart present here today.
Those who are burdened with guilt—grant them forgiveness.
Those who are suffering in body—grant them strength.
Those who are troubled in mind—grant them peace.
Those who are searching for meaning—lead them to the light of your truth.
Lord, transform our hearts so that we may follow you with sincerity and
love.
May your Cross teach us humility.
May your Cross teach us sacrifice.
May your Cross teach us forgiveness.
And when our earthly journey is finished,
may the Cross that we embraced in this life lead us to the joy of your
Resurrection and the glory of eternal life.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
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A Gentle Invitation to Share
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May His Word bear abundant fruit.
God bless
you abundantly.
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