GOOD FRIDAY: THE LORD’S PASSION

Apr 22, 2011

GOOD FRIDAY: THE LORD’S PASSION

 

INTRODUCTION

It is Good Friday! Today’s austere liturgy comprises three parts.

First part: Liturgy of the Word (“to revive our faith in the power of the Lord’s death”), and General Intercessions (to pray for all).

Second part: Veneration of the Cross (source of our redemption).

Third part: Holy Communion (according to ancient tradition, Mass is not celebrated today and tomorrow). As we begin, we place ourselves actually before Jesus on the Cross.

 

MEDITATION (on the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ)

What may anyone – much less me -, what can anyone say after proclaiming – reliving – the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ?

I feel urged to add a footnote in three basic questions:

 

  1. We contemplate Jesus, the innocent one, the holy one. We look at him: so “gentle, humble and patient” (St. Basil). So serene! First question: Why did Christ die on the Cross?

Two reasons are clearly given by our faith. Jesus suffered and died on the Cross to show us the great love of God for us: “God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son.” Moreover, Jesus died on the cross to show us the evilness of sin: Sin is darkness, night, and unhappiness: a betrayal of God’s love and of the blood of Christ shed for us.

  1. 2. We see the terrible sufferings pervading our world: natural disasters, wars, violence, injustice, the suffering of the innocent! Second twofold question: Why there is so much suffering in our world? Why do innocent children suffer?

The mystery of evil continues! And the mystery of a good and omnipotent God! We know that God loves us, and that the only answer we have to those piercing questions is Jesus on the cross – Jesus, the Son of God and the Son of Mary, our brother! Facing those sufferings, we are asked by our humanity and our faith to help others carry their cross not with sermons, but with compassion. One of the gravest things one can do in life is to make others suffer (A. Camus).

  1. 3. As we fix our eyes on Jesus on the Cross, we also think of our own cross: you know that you will be saved on your cross, and I know that I will be saved on mine! Third multiple question: Dear Lord, why this cross? Why for me? Why now?

Jesus answers from the Cross: “If anyone wants to be my disciple let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me.” Jesus, our savior and friend, adds: “My yoke is light,” “come to me all who are burdened and I will give you rest.” No wonder, for the saints, the truly happy ones, when the cross comes, it is the Lord who comes!

As we venerate the Cross of Chris, we make an act of faith (“Adoro te devote, latens deitas, in cruce latebat sola deitas”  – “I adore You, hidden God, in the Cross only the divinity was hidden,” while in the Eucharist, also the humanity of Christ is hidden). When we kiss the Cross of Christ, we kiss Christ on the Cross. As we kiss Christ on the Cross today we also kiss our brothers and sisters who are crucified like Christ. Where were you, where was I, when they crucified our Lord? Where are we when others are crucified today?

Good Friday is part of our life. We cannot jump from Palm Sunday and its hosannas, to Easter Sunday and its Alleluias! Easter Sunday is only possible after Good Friday! With Mother Mary, Our Lady of Hope, we thank you, Lord, for your wounds, for your death – for your love! We are sorry Lord, for our sins, for the sufferings we cause to others, for our lack of compassion. Above all, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit; above all, many, many, many thanks! To you, dear God One and Triune, be honor and glory and power forever and ever. Amen.

 

Fr. Fausto Gomez Berlana, O. P,