Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion

Today’s liturgy is like no other in the Church’s calendar. After a brief opening prayer, a reading from Isaiah is proclaimed, and then we participate in a solemn proclamation of the passion from the Gospel of Matthew.

We are not simply re-telling the story of a very important historical person. No, we assert publicly that this Jesus, the Son of God in human form, offers Himself for the salvation of all. We are invited into that Mystery that is to become the story of each who claims him as their Savior.

Last night, we celebrated the Liturgy of the Lord’s Supper, during which Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, directing them to be servants. Then he offers them bread, which is transformed into his body, a body which will be broken and given up for us. The same with the cup of wine which he tells them is his Blood which will be poured out for all. He admonishes them, ‘ Do this in memory of me.’ The next day, his body is broken on the cross, and his blood is poured out. DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME.

The Paschal Mystery calls us, as followers of Jesus, to remember His words: ‘ Whatever you do to the least of my brothers and sisters, that you do to me. ‘ Throughout his life and ministry, Jesus brought healing, hope, and love to those living in spiritual darkness.

Our present world is lost in a darkness of murderous wars throughout the globe. Refugees seeking a new life are vilified, blocked by fences and walls, and expelled. Millions of people die from starvation as climate change makes agriculture impossible. Jesus is crucified again and again in those who suffer, and we are called to be broken and poured out in service to these, our sisters and brothers.

Let Us Pray:

Jesus, as we pray and reflect on your suffering on the cross, we are mindful of your continuing crucifixion in all those, our brothers and sisters, with whom you identified yourself, who suffer violence, injustice, racism, hunger, and displacement and homelessness. Give us an abundance of your grace to be actively attentive to their pain and to do all that we can, as beacons of hope, to alleviate their pain and isolation.