In the Tomb - A Reflection for the Evening of Good Friday

"Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden...There...they laid Jesus." St. John, 19:41.

On February 17, 1934, tragedy struck the Belgian nation. King Albert was killed in a fall from a mountain. His broken body lay in state in the chapel of the royal palace. Hundreds of thousands of Belgians shuffled by in tribute to their dead king. Men, women and children from all parts of the land moved slowly into the chapel, paused for a silent moment to gaze grief-stricken at the royal face swathed in white linens to cover his wounds.

Flickering candles cast a soft glow. Moving shadows even made the face of the king appear to move, as if he were accepting the homage of his people. The women and children genuflected in an ancient, royal courtesy. The men turned sharply to face the coffin, clicked their heels, and stood for a moment rigidly at attention. They moved on, making room for the next.

Attendants helped limping, crippled veterans who had fought with Albert at the front during the first World War, when he personally lead his troops. Many wept unashamed, and turned sadly away to limp out into the wintry day.

The chapel was banked with flowers from all over the world. Their fragrant petals were the incense of universal tribute. Before leaving, hun­dreds of thousands signed a "gold book"; they had paid a tribute of love to Albert, man and king.

On Good Friday, you and I will file past the dead body of another King, the King of kings. He was killed on a mountain, the mount of Calvary. His body was broken by the bloody scourging, the crowning with thorns, and by the cruel nails driven into His hands and feet. Even after death, a soldier pierced His side with a lance. The shattered body of our King will be witnessed again as hundreds of millions view it on Good Friday.

What were the thoughts of the Belgians as they looked at their beloved leader?

1. They thought of his kindness, his consideration for the poor, the rank and file, his interest in the least member of his kingdom.

2. They thought of King Albert's courage in many personal exploits, and especially when he personally lead his troops against the invaders.

3. They thought of his many wonderful deeds for the welfare of his country - how he improved public works, how he promoted national pros­perity, how he gave Belgium a place in the sun.

4. They thought of his manly life, his honesty and justice as a ruler, his personal blamelessness.

5. They thought of his bereaved wife and children, the shock and the loss it was to them.

6. They also thought, no doubt, of their failure at times to do the bidding of their king, when his commands seemed too difficult or too demanding.

7. They remembered their sacrifices for their monarch - at home, in public service, and on the field of battle.

8. Here before his body they realized that his great heart was stilled and quiet. Their leader was dead.

And what will we think about as we stand or kneel before the dead body of our King, Jesus Christ?

1. We think of His limitless love and kindness, His countless deeds of mercy, His consideration toward the sick and poor and crippled.

Z. We think of Christ's courage in taking upon Himself the punishment for all our sins, His bravery in entering upon His passion and death, know­ing beforehand how terrible it was to be.

3. We remember His wonderful deeds, His many miracles worked for those who were the most needy and neglected. Best of all we think of that stupendous miracle of love which He worked the night before He died, the miraculous gift of Himself in Holy Communion. We remember Him raising even the dead to life.

4. We think of His heart-broken Mother, who had to stand by as her Son was beaten and broken and nailed to a cross.

5. We, too, think of our frequent failures to keep His commands; we realize now what sin really means. Our King died because of our sins.

6. We think also of our sacrifices for Christ. All too small and all too few they were, but generously He rewards them all. We realize how much He did for us and how little we have done for Him, especially during this Lenten season.

7. Most important, as we see the wound in His side, opening into His loving Heart, we begin to realize the love He has for us, for every single one of us.

8. In particular we remember His promise that after three days He will rise again.

Indeed, the Belgians loved their king, but they did not, they could not love him nearly as much as we love Christ, our King. In fact, King Albert was great as a man and as a monarch because he tried to follow Christ, he tried to be like Christ.

The things admired in King Albert and in Christ are the things we must develop - kindness, courage, devotion to those in our charge, loyalty to those above us.

During the evening of Good Friday, move closer to the tomb of Christ. Place your hand upon His broken body. Think of what it means. Then pledge yourself to be true to your King in the future, to be more worthy of a King who has given everything for us. Amen.
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Adapted from Occasional Talks
by Fr. Arthur Tonne, OFM (©1949)