Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion
The movement began with the journey to Jerusalem, leading down the palm-strewn streets of Jerusalem, the festive upper room, the garden of Gethsemani, the torture chambers, and the mocking judgment seat of Pontius Pilate, has finally come to the ultimate marker, the sign of the Cross. We can choose to follow this journey as distant history, as we’ve done in the past, or we can choose to make the journey our own contemporary companionship with the Lord.
This choice can be very intentional in the Good Friday Service with the veneration of the Cross. Walking forward to venerate the Holy Cross requires our total concentration and intention. Not only do we reflect on Jesus transforming and extending his unspeakable suffering as His love for His Father, but also his total commitment to step forward into that love for us. Our kiss of the Holy Cross in veneration is our act of reparation for any part we might have had in the betrayal kiss from the lips of Judas.
The whole Good Friday Service highlights that movement of divine love, lifting the capacity of love to both interior and external expression. The Word of God describing the Passion of the Lord sets the scene and the motivation. The Universal Prayers of the Church reach out to embrace the whole world. The Veneration of the Cross is our personal embrace of shared suffering. And finally, receiving Holy Communion as a faith community allows the highest union to take place. Such intense focus naturally leads to a day at the tomb, for rest and deep pondering.
Reflection by Fr. Daniel Petsche, OSB
Posted in Articles for Lent, Daily Reflections