Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion

Mass Readings

• First Reading Isaiah 52:13-53:12
• Responsorial Psalm Psalm 31:2, 6, 12-13, 15-16, 17, 25
• Second Reading Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9
• Gospel John 18:1-19:42

Open the Mass Readings on USCCB.org →

Step Into the Story

Isaiah’s fourth Servant Song, likely written during or soon after the Babylonian exile in the sixth century B.C., describes a man “spurned and avoided,” pierced for our offenses, led like a lamb to the slaughter. Hebrews calls Jesus a high priest able to sympathize with our weaknesses. Crucifixion was built to be slow, public and shameful; a heel bone from a Jerusalem tomb of this period, still pierced by an iron nail, shows how it was done.

1. 6th c. B.C.Isaiah’s Suffering Servant
2. 63 B.C.Pompey takes Jerusalem
3. 14 A.D.Tiberius becomes emperor
4. 26 A.D.Pilate becomes prefect
5. This week’s scene: 30 or 33 A.D.Jesus before Pilate

Stand on the stone pavement outside the Praetorium, probably Herod’s old palace on the city’s west side, in 30 or 33 A.D. Pontius Pilate, prefect of Judea from 26 to 36 A.D., takes the judgment seat at the place called Gabbatha, “the Pavement.” It is the day of Preparation, about noon, the sun high. Across the city, in the Temple, the Passover lambs are being slaughtered. Hear the crowd. Smell the dust and the sweat of soldiers in leather and iron.

Then follow the procession out through the gate to Golgotha, “Place of the Skull,” just outside the walls, beside the road where passers-by can read the charge. Find your place near the cross with Mary His Mother, her sister, Mary of Clopas, Mary Magdalene and the beloved disciple. Stay with them, and do not look away.

Encounter the Lord

Stand at the foot of the Cross with Mary and the beloved disciple. Look at Him. He has been whipped, crowned with thorns and nailed to the wood. He could come down, but He stays. He says, “I thirst,” and then, “It is finished.”

St. Francis reminds us that we cannot watch the Passion as spectators. My sins are part of the reason He is there. And yet He is not there to accuse me. He is there because He loves me to the end. Isaiah says that by His wounds we are healed. The love that takes the nails is greater than all the sin that drives them. Hebrews says you can approach this throne of grace with confidence, to receive mercy.

Today, come forward to venerate the Cross. As you kneel or kiss the wood, tell Him plainly what you are sorry for, and thank Him for what He has done for you.

Know Your Faith

Why He Suffered

Jesus’ violent death was not the result of chance but part of the mystery of God’s plan (CCC 599). Sinners were the authors of all the sufferings the Redeemer endured, and the Church imputes to Christians the gravest responsibility for His torments (CCC 598).

A Sacrifice of Love

It is love “to the end” that gives Christ’s sacrifice its value as redemption and atonement. He knew and loved us all when He offered His life (CCC 616). His sacrifice is unique; it completes and surpasses all other sacrifices (CCC 613-614).

Our Share in His Passion

Christ calls His disciples to take up their cross and follow Him (CCC 618). Justification has been merited for us by the Passion of Christ, whose blood has become the instrument of atonement for the sins of all (CCC 1992).

The Obedient Servant

By His obedience unto death, Jesus fulfilled the role of the suffering Servant who bore the sins of many (CCC 615). He freely embraced the Father’s plan of redeeming love (CCC 606-607).