As He hung on the Cross, Our Savior gave us one more remarkable gift
Reflections on the readings for Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion (March 30, 2018): IS 52:13—53:12, PS 31:2,6,12-13,15-16,17,25, HEB 4:14-16;5:7-9, JN 18:1—19:42
MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
On this most solemn day in the Church year, the faithful gather in a reverent celebration of the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ. There is no Mass. Rather, the service includes the Liturgy of the Word, the Veneration of the Cross, and the Communion Rite with hosts that were consecrated on Holy Thursday.
Through all the prayers, petitions, and readings we once again turn our thoughts to the events of the first Good Friday. Two thousand years ago, men and women in Jerusalem watched Jesus of Nazareth, a teacher and preacher, healer and miracle worker, as He was falsely accused, unjustly tried, and ultimately condemned. They saw Him nailed to a cross. And they heard Him speak. “When Jesus saw His mother and the disciple there whom He loved He said to His mother, ‘Woman, behold your son.’ Then He said to the disciple, ‘Behold, your mother.’ And from that hour the disciple took her into his home” (John 19:26-27).
The crowd around the cross probably thought Jesus was being protective of His mother by making a final request for a friend to look after her. And, of course, He was. But our Redeemer, who was giving everything, every drop of blood, every painful breath for us, also gave us His own precious mother as well. Christ presented us His body and blood, soul and divinity through the Eucharist. He offered us eternity though His death and resurrection. And He made Mary our mother to love and look after us just as she once cared for her Son. The day our Lord was crucified became a profoundly Good Friday for His people.
Suggested missionary action: We can ask our Blessed Mother to help us appreciate her Son’s words from the cross. Through them He revealed His tremendous love for us, now and forever.
