Christians mark Good Friday

McALLEN — Edwin Jones bawled woefully as Roman soldiers affixed the bloodied and tunic-clad teenager to the cross.

The procession was religious theater to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ for the packed pews on Good Friday at Our Lady of Sorrows in McAllen, but the cry of pain, although scripted, was more than just performance - the cross had actually fallen twice on the 18-year-old, once smacking the side of his head.

"If it hurts me, just a cross falling on my head ... it's unimaginable the suffering (Jesus) endured," said Jones, who bore blood-red paint on his chest, hands and forehead.

A red spotlight heightened the passion play, casting an ominous glow on the actors from the church's youth group.

The parishioners rose to say a prayer, as they did after each station of the cross.

The Stations of the Cross, or Via Dolorosa, the Way of Suffering, represents the 14 recognized stages of Christ's passion and death, including the three times he is believed to have fallen. It ends with his entombment in the sepulcher.

The day was marked with similar displays at churches around the world.

"This is just the day that Jesus died for us," said 67-year-old Roman Longoria after the display, which he described as both sorrowful and touching. "It means a lot to all of us."

The Good Friday observance precedes Easter Sunday, when Christian theology holds that Jesus rose from the dead. His crucifixion is symbolic of his atonement for the sins of humanity, said Monsignor Gustavo Barrera.

Barrera said that while the day is mournful, it's a reminder for Christians of how Jesus paved the way so that humanity could be saved and forgiven of its sins and guilt.

"It does us good to remember the passion," he said. "The debt has been paid. We get a free ride. That's the good news of the Gospel."

____

Sean Gaffney covers business, the economy and general assignments for The Monitor. He can be reached at (956) 683-4434.