At the Foot of the Cross

by Lucille O’Donnell

Once every ten years, the men, women, and children of the small village of Oberammergau, Germany, perform a drama of a special kind: The Passion of Jesus. They are fulfilling a vow their ancestors made in 1633, when their lives were threatened by a plague. Many had already died. In vain, they had hoped that the black death would spare their village. They decided that by telling the story of the suffering and dying of our Lord Jesus Christ, it would give them hope and at the same time live the way Jesus lived.

This author had the opportunity to attend the "Play of Redemption" (Passion Play 2000) in July. The experience of this event cannot be described in words. The music, the crowds shouting, "Crucify him, crucify him", and the entire drama of the Passion left 5,000 people in silent reflection for six hours. One realized that with every single breath Jesus took, he sought the Father’s will.

This experience was an affirmation that we are loved and protected by the Father, and that we have dignity regardless of the situation, just as the people of Oberammergau must have felt when the plague raged among them. They had listened to Jesus and took his gospel to heart knowing they were gifted with life and hope.

Everyone cannot make a pilgrimage to Oberammergau, and we don’t have to do so. Each time we come to the Eucharist which celebrates the memory of the death and resurrection of Christ, we too, know that Jesus loves us, gives us strength, life, and hope. All we need to do is to place our daily lives, our joys, and our sorrows at the Foot of the Cross, and at the altar of sacrifice just as the people of Oberammergau did in 1633 and thereafter. We are ordinary people who can look up to the One who is raised on the cross and draw strength from him, the Eternal One.

As we focus on evangelization during Season II of RENEW 2000, it is this strength, life and hope that will give us the courage and enthusiasm to be evangelists in a culture and world so in need of hearing the Gospel message now and long into the new millennium.

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