Homily Good Friday: Jn 18:1-19:42 (What, No Mass Today?)
Homily Good Friday: Jn 18:1-19:42 (What, No Mass Today?)
Sometimes people ask what time the Mass is on Good Friday. The fact of the matter is that there is no Mass on Good Friday. There is supposed to be a minimal amount of Sacramental activity between Good Friday and Easter Vigil. The church is symbolically in the tomb for three days with Jesus.
What goes on during the Good Friday liturgy? The liturgy is divided into three parts. The first thing we do as a community is that we have the Liturgy of the Word. The most important reading is the reading of the passion. We always read from the same Gospel on Good Friday which is the Gospel of John. John’s account is a little longer than the other gospel writers. Jesus seems to be in charge in this account. When a cohort of Roman soldiers come to arrest him, they fall before him when he speaks. Jesus submits himself to those who arrest him, try him and put him to death.
The second thing that happens during the Good Friday liturgy is that the congregation comes forward to reverence the cross. Each worshipper does this separately. In prior years, a person might show their love for Jesus by kissing the wood of his cross our touching it. This year, because of the pandemic, we will ask parishioners to just bow our genuflect to the cross. The gesture shows that we understand the great act of love that it took for Jesus to die for his followers. We show our love in return.
After the adoration of the cross, we have a brief communion service. The sharing of the hosts that were consecrated at the Mass of the Lord Supper is a sign that Jesus is still with us and that his community is still bound together in hope.
The Good Friday Celebration of the Lord’s Passion is a simple liturgy with little music or pageantry. The solemnity recalls the great sacrifice Jesus when he gave up all his heavenly power and came to earth to become one with us even to the point of experiencing death. All this so that we might one day experience resurrection.
Reflection Questions:
- How will I spend Good Friday? Most of the world will go about its normal business, will I do that?
- The church pauses its sacramental activity, but it does not cease praying. How and when will I pray today?
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Dear Parishioners,
I hope that all of you have a reflective day today. Even if you could not attend the Good Friday liturgy we will be livestreaming on Facebook. We also will be distributing the Eucharist in the parking lot after the service.
I would encourage everyone to also spend some time reading the Passion of John. The verses are listed at the top of the page. Other good practices might be to reflect on the stations of the cross or to say the rosary using the sorrowful mysteries. A period of quiet between noon and 3 p.m. might be a wonderful grace as well. Turn off all the media and just listen to the Lord today.
May Our Lady and all the Angels and Saints watch over you today.
Fr. Mark