GOOD FRIDAY : IT IS FINISHED….NOW YOU CAN GET TO HEAVEN!
1st Reading: Isaiah 52:13-53:12: The servant of the Lord, an expiatory sacrifice
Resp. Psalm: 30(31):2,6,12-13,15-17,25: Father into your hand I commend my spirit.
2nd reading: Hebrews 4:14-16;5:7-9: The Lord burdened him with the sins of all of us.
Gospel: John 18:1-19.42: The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ
THE CRUCIFIED ONES TODAY
On this Good Friday,, as we meditate in deeply heartfelt ways on the sacred Passion of Jesus Christ, let’s not forget to also think of those who are also crucified with him in our world today. And who are the crucified of today? How can we not think of all those innocent men, women, children, and infants in the Ukraine whose lives are being eradicated as if they are nothing more than mere rubble!
We are ever mindful of the thousands of people all around the world who are discriminated against because of race, color, religious beliefs, and gender.
And I am also inclined, in a personal way, to think of women and children who are abused in dysfunctional, loveless homes, as well as those who are alone in their final hours of life with no one to comfort them.
CHERISH THE OLD RUGGED CROSS UPON WHICH HUNG THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD
Let us cherish not only the old rugged cross but venerate, love and adore the Son of God who suffered on the cross and died for our sake. We adore you O Christ and we praise you: Because by your cross thou hast redeemed the world.
By his wounds, we are healed.
May the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ be always in our hearts and may it bring us new significance and change. Amen.
Fr. Joseph Osho OSJ
