FRIDAY OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD-A,B,C
(GOOD FRIDAY)
THE CELEBRATION OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD
First
Reading: Isaiah 52:13-53:12: He was pierced through
for our faults.
Second Reading: Hebrews: He learnt to obey through suffering and became for all who obey
him, the source of eternal salvation.
Gospel:The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.
18:1-19:42
The
Passion narrative explains the suffering and death of Jesus Christ to save the
whole world. Jesus conquered sin and death through his total obedience to the
Will of God, his complete trust in his Father and his humility until death on
the cross; therefore God raised him from death. Although his nature was divine,
he did not count equality with God but humbled himself like a slave unto death.
The
scribes, Pharisees, chief priests, elders, Iscariot Judas one of his disciples,
his own people and the common crowd went against him and wished Jesus to be
crucified. Even Pilate did not give him justice during verdict. What a pity!
What an injustice, exploitation, abuse, corruption and inhuman life was/is in
the society and in the world! Even the crowd said let him to be crucified and
his blood should come on us and on our children.
What
is the cause or reasons of his death? Jesus spoke the truth, proclaimed the
Word of God/ message of God, directly attacked the hypocrisy of the
religionists, loved the sinners, out casts, tax collectors, gentiles and healed
the sick on the Sabbath and raised the dead, ate food without washing his hands
and legs, even his own disciples plucked and ate corns from other’s field. The
authorities and people did not obey to the teachings of Jesus, neither they
repented for their sins nor they listened to God’s commandments. They wanted to
live and do as they liked independently without obeying to God’s message and
the teachings of Jesus.
According
to the Gospel of John, the glorification of Jesus took place on the cross and
brought salvation to the world.
The
celebration of the Lord’s Passion consisting of three parts, namely:
1.
The Liturgy of the Word
2.
The Adoration of the Cross
3.
Holy Communion
Thought: The
world’s religion allows people to continue in their own way and do pretty much
as they wish and still feel acceptable to God. Just think for a moment!
Jesus gives
us an excellent picture of absolute surrender. He went forth devotionally,
willingly, vicariously and purposefully to die- to drink the cup that was/is
the cup of his covenant which was/is shed for the forgiveness of sins for
all/many.
How few people
proclaim the true teaching of Jesus Christ and so few people are willing to
sacrifice their lives for the world to reach a lost, starving and diseased
world (Mt 19:21-22; 19:23-26; 1Jn 2:15-16).
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