Word to the Wise
Friday, April 15, 2022 - Good Friday of the Lord's Passion - ABC
[Isa 52:13-53:12; Heb 4:14-16; 5:7-9; John 18:1-19:42]"Yet it was our infirmities that he bore, our sufferings that he endured, while we thought of him as stricken, as one smitten by God and afflicted. But he was pierced for our offenses, crushed for our sins; upon him was the chastisement that makes us whole, by his stripes we were healed. We had all gone astray like sheep, each following his own way; but the Lord laid upon him the guilt of us all." [Isaiah]
Those who attend the Good Friday commemoration of the Passion of the Lord, especially those who have never attended before, may find the liturgy puzzling. It is not the celebration of the Eucharist, even though they may receive the Eucharist in communion. The liturgy falls into three parts: the Liturgy of the Word, the Adoration of the Cross, and Holy Communion. For many Catholics, the Adoration of the Cross is what they often remember from the service. A large cross (not a crucifix) is unveiled in three stages and then made available for all to venerate by kiss or other appropriate touch or gesture. When well celebrated, the entire service is very sobering and stark
The other two parts are, however, very important, especially the scriptures. I cannot listen to the eerily accurate description of the sacrificial suffering of the "Suffering Servant" without an almost chill in my spine! The Passion as recounted in the Gospel According to John is dramatic, especially the dialog with Pilate ("What is truth?"). The Solemn Intercessions can enable us to understand the broad significance of Jesus' death for the whole world. The third part, reception of Holy Communion, can remind us that we are united with Christ in his suffering, not only through baptism (Romans 6:3), but through our own suffering and that of the whole world. We might remember today those suffering in Ukraine because of the war, but also all who suffer from hunger, oppression, violence, illness and other trauma.
Some will choose to attend the traditional Stations of the Cross on Good Friday afternoon. This devotion focuses on one part of Jesus' suffering, his journey from the city of Jerusalem to Calvary, outside the gates.
Every crucifix is a reminder of this day and of what Jesus did for us on this day. We are challenged to remember and embrace the cross in solidarity with Jesus and all who suffer. AMEN