Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion
Today’s Reflection
Gospel: Jn 18: 1-19: 42
April 7, 2023 | Friday
When Jesus had finished speaking, he went with his disciples to the other side of the Kidron Valley. There was a garden there, which Jesus entered with his disciples. Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, since Jesus had often met there with his disciples. So Judas took soldiers and some servants from the chief priests and Pharisees, and they went to the garden with lanterns, torches and weapons.
Jesus knew all that was going to happen to him; he stepped forward and asked, “Who are you looking for?” They answered, “Jesus the Nazarene.” Jesus said, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, stood there with them.
When Jesus said, “I am he,” they moved backwards and fell to the ground. He then asked a second time, “Who are you looking for?” and they answered, “Jesus the Nazarene.” Jesus replied, “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, let these others go.” So what Jesus had said came true: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.”
Simon Peter had a sword; he drew it and struck Malchus, the High Priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. But Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath! Shall I not drink the cup which the Father has given me?”
The guards and the soldiers, with their commander, seized Jesus and bound him; and they took him to Annas. Annas was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was the High Priest that year; and it was Caiaphas who had told the Jews, “It is better that one man should die for the people.”
Today’s Reflection:
Today is the Good Friday of the Passion of the Lord. At 3 p.m., today the Church is called to go up to Calvary where the Passion of the Lord takes place in three moments: the Word, the Cross, and the Communion.
In today’s Gospel, we read and contemplate: “When Jesus had received the wine, he said, “It is finished. “Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” If you have ever witnessed a person dying, you know the rattling struggle for air, agonal gasps, followed by the last exhaling of breath, and at last, the peace and quiet. All of us will reach this point for death is certain; it is the when and where that we do not know, but let us always be ready to pray words similar to Jesus, “It is finished”. In silence, we behold the Cross. In silence, we prepare for our calvary.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church 1336 helps us in reflecting on the mystery of the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Christ. The first announcement of the Eucharist divided the disciples, just as the announcement of the Passion scandalized them: “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” (Jn 6:60) The Eucharist and the Cross are stumbling blocks. It is the same mystery and it never ceases to be an occasion of division. “Will you also go away?” (Jn 6:67) The Lord’s question echoes through the ages, as a loving invitation to discover that only he has “the words of eternal life” (Jn 6:68) and that to receive in faith the gift of his Eucharist is to receive the Lord himself.
We adore you oh Christ and we praise you because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world. /Vulnerasti, 2023
