Good Friday Reflection

One of my favorite Doctor Who episodes this last year was "The Time of Angels." In the story, the Doctor, Amy, and River Song are joined by a company of clerics to save the universe from the Weeping Angels. The clerics are dressed in the full combat gear of a modern British soldier and commanded by a bishop.

River addresses the Bishop: "Father Octavius."
Amy: "She called him 'Father.' ?"
Doctor: "It's the 51st Century. The Church has moved on."

It's the kind of fascinating juxtaposition of professions that only the creators of Doctor Who could imagine. But it teases out so many thoughts of war and peace. I think of young Marines giving their lives, fully believing that the cause they die for today is just. They put their own lives between the threat and those they are called to protect. I also think of Congolese pastors who risked their lives (and the ones who gave their lives) to face down warlords armed only with the Gospel of Peace.

The Good Friday exchange of the story comes as Father Octavius faces his own death, giving up his life for the salvation of the others.

Doctor: "I wish I could have known you better."
Bishop: "I think, sir, you have known me at my best."

In the Gospel of Mark, as the Centurion watches Jesus die, he proclaims, "Surely, this was the Son of God." This is the only human confession of faith that Mark honors. (Peter's confession is shown to be misguided.) It comes not from one who was taught by Jesus, or shared the road with him. He was with Jesus when he died. That's all he needed to know, how Jesus died.

While many, many Christians will celebrate the resurrection this Sunday, only a few can identify with Jesus' giving his life for others. Some of those wear clerical collars. Some wear uniforms.

Peace,
Bob

Disclaimer: This is a Good Friday reflection and not an academic argument for either a Just War Theory or for Pacifism. The Doctor would never, ever use a weapon, even to save his own life or the life of a companion. River Song, on the other hand, would shoot the eye out of a Dalek without hesitation.