The Mountain of Calvary
Dear Friends,
The image of the Mountain used in the first reading presents an opportunity for us to reflect more deeply on the mystery of the Holy Eucharist; “the source and summit of the Christian life”-Lumen Gentium, 134. The Prophet Isaiah proclaims “On this Mountain the Lord of hosts will provide for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines” Isaiah 25:6. We can already sense that connection of a feast of rich food to the Holy Eucharist. Now we must ask ourselves, what is this mountain where this big feast is held? And who can climb this mountain to feast on the rich food and choice wines?
There is, in St. Catherine of Siena’s theology of the Cross, an image of a dinner table, prepared and served by the Most Holy Trinity; Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. Catherine of Siena says that the Father has prepared the dinner table, which is the wood of the Cross, the rich food is His only begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit invites and dishes out this food.
We must conclude that Calvary, the place of sacrifice, the Altar, and the Cross of Christ, is the Mountain of God where the Lord of hosts provides for all people. And the rest of the reading gives proof of this indeed, for we remember from the account of Jesus’ Crucifixion, St. Matthew tells us that, “the veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom.” Matthew 27:51. This was the veil that covered the place in the Temple where only the high priest could enter, the holy of holies. Now that veil was torn open so that all people could come closer to God.
And we also know that when Christ went out to his death, he went out to do what no one else could do. That is to defeat the evil one once and for all. Thus, he said to his apostles, “where I am going you cannot come” … and to St. Peter, “you cannot follow me now, though you will follow later.” John 13: 33, 36. Our Lord went to the Cross, and Peter could not follow him yet.
Therefore, the Cross stands, for us Christians, as a sign of victory over death, over evil. We look at the Crucifix and say, “behold our God, to whom we looked to save us…let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us.” Isaiah 25. But who can climb this Mountain of God, the Sacred Mountain of the Cross? “Only a man of clean hands and pure heart” the Psalmist says. The need to wear a wedding garment to approach this feast implies a life of virtue. Not everyone has access to this rich food, but only those who have prepared themselves.
Let us then, make ready to go up to the Lord’s Mountain, to the altar, the dinner table, to take part in this feast of rich food and choice wine that nourishes our lives and gives us strength to persevere through the difficulties and temptations of our time, so as to be victorious when the day of the Lord shall come.
Amen
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