For everything there is a season... a time to weep...
a time to mourn...a time to love...
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 “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
This day is unlike others days. It is somber and sad, heartbreaking and painful, yet it is also magnificent.
Good Friday focuses our attention on the fulfillment of God’s will through the sacrifice of His Son. Soon the gates of heaven will break open for every person who ever lived, or will ever live, to enter – if they so choose. Jesus spent His life on earth showing His goodness and holiness, first quietly, then publicly. He told all who would listen about the Father’s desire for us to follow in His footsteps through lives of loving service. Christ healed the bodies and souls of broken people and offered them an eternity of happiness with Him. But some, especially the powerful and rich who thought they had too much to lose, decided to dispose of the King of the Jews, the King of the Universe. So Pontius Pilate, Annas and Caiaphas, aided by Judas, had Jesus arrested, tortured and crucified. They did not understand that He was dying for them, His enemies, just as much as for His friends.
“Aware that everything was now finished, in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled, Jesus said, ‘I thirst.’…They put a sponge soaked in wine…up to His mouth. When Jesus had taken the wine, He said, ‘It is finished.’ And bowing His head, He handed over the spirit” (John 19:28-30). Our Lord’s life was over. But His transformation of the world through the hearts of His beloved children was just beginning.
