"The light shines in the darkness..." Jn. 1:5

A strange and extraordinary event, recorded by three of the four evangelists, took place during the crucifixion of the Lord. They tell us that an unexplainable darkness descended “over the land”, presumably over Jerusalem and its environs, but the phrase might also mean the whole world. Biblical scholars and historians have tried to understand this unusual phenomenon. Was it an eclipse or perhaps a sudden sandstorm blowing in from the Judean desert? Was it a localized phenomenon or a global one? Is there any evidence outside of the New Testament for this event? Did it really happen at all?

While such questions are intriguing and deserve scholarly investigation, they can also distract us from the fundamental meaning of this darkness at the cross. Matthew, whose version of the Passion we read today, sees it as one in a series of apocalyptic events that accompany the crucifixion, the others being the earthquake that accompanies the death of Jesus, the rending of the veil of the temple, and the opening of the tombs of the just. It’s as though creation itself is mourning His death. The accompanying signs, darkness, earthquake, the rending of the veil and the opening of tombs, being a divine judgment against a world that has hardened its heart to God by rejecting and crucifying the Son whom the Father sends for its life and salvation. At least it certainly seems this way, doesn’t it?

But it might be that the sun darkened because another light, one far brighter and more intense, overcame its light that day. Apocalyptic phenomenon, admittedly frightening, serve but one purpose; they unveil God’s presence and action in history. The cross indeed reveals God’s judgment on the world. But this is not a judgment of condemnation. Rather, it is a judgment of mercy.

It seems to me that the sun grew dark because another light, the light of Crucified Love, overcame it that terrible day. The earth quaked, and we are shaken by the utter lengths Love would go to so that the Prodigal Son, finally coming to his senses, would return home to his Father. The veil of separation in the temple, barring sinful humanity from entering into presence of God, is torn apart at the cross, not by our doing but by God’s, giving us access to a reconciliation God Himself has undertaken for us. The tombs are opened because death has now been denied the final word to say about the ultimate destiny and meaning of our lives.

God has indeed pronounced judgment on the world at the cross. He has judged for mercy, reconciliation, resurrection and new life in the Son.

Perhaps, that's why the sun’s light failed that day. Another light, a stronger light, overcame it.

Msgr. Joe Celano