Commentary on the Liturgy of Good Friday

selvam

Good Friday

Passion of Our Lord – Commentary

 Introduction

Dear friends in Christ Jesus, on this day, which is called the Good Friday, we commemorate the passion and death of the Lord.  According to the Church’s ancient tradition, the sacraments are not celebrated today or tomorrow.  Today’s liturgy calls for silence and contemplation.  This special liturgy has three parts:

  1. The Liturgy of the Word
  2. Veneration of the Cross, and
  3. Holy Communion

PART I – LITURGY OF THE WORD

Now we are about to start the first part of our service: The liturgy of the Word. The priest(s) together with the ministers of the altar, wearing red garments, proceed to the altar.  The priest will then prostrate in front of the altar to commemorate the hour when Jesus gave up his spirit.  We will all kneel in silence during that moment.  For now, please stand to welcome the procession.

 First Reading: Is 52:13-53:12

The first reading from prophet Isaiah is the hymn about “the Suffering Servant.”  Before eyes of flesh, this servant of the Lord is a bundle of contradictions: he is lifted up to great heights in exaltation; but he is disfigured and maimed. In the eyes of faith, he is a symbol of reconciliation: by his wounds we are healed.  If this prophesy of Isaiah is fulfilled in the passion and death of Jesus, the Son of God, then what does this mean for me today?  Why would God make himself a servant – a suffering servant?

Second Reading: Heb 4:14-16; 5:7-9

The second reading comes to us from the Letter to Hebrews.  Christ, even though was with God since the beginning, He made himself one of us, so that he could experience what it means to be human.  In this way, Christ the high priest understand us perfectly and is able to intercede for us before the Father.

Third Reading – From the Gospel of John

Now we are going to listen to the passion-narrative according to the Gospel of John.  Let us continue to contemplate on the mystery of the cross. May the Word of God bring healing to our own wounds.  May the suffering of Jesus bring forgiveness for our sins.  May the death of Jesus bring life ot us.  During the gospel, after the words: “and bowing his head he gave up the spirit,” we would all genuflect for a while and remain silent, before rising to continue with the narration.

General Intercession

Jesus died on the cross for the salvation of all.  Now we are going to pray for all people.  Each of the intercession has two parts.  In the first part the intention is proposed, then we all kneel to pray silently, then we rise as the priest prays on our behalf.

PART II – VENERATION OF THE CROSS

Now we are entering into the 2nd part of our liturgy for today, namely, the Veneration of the Holy Cross.  Jesus said to Nicodemus, “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, the Son of Man will be lifted up.  Anyone who believes in him will have eternal life.”  Now Jesus will be lifted up, for us to express our faith in him.

After the exposition of the cross, there will be the time for individual veneration of the cross.  By doing this, we are not worshipping a piece of wood, but we are paying homage to the Son of God who hangs upon the cross.

During the exposition of the cross, to the invocation, which will be repeated three times: “This is the wood of the cross, on which hung the Saviour of the world,” each time we will all respond: “Come, let us worship.”

PART III – HOLY COMMUNION

Now we are beginning the 3rd part of the liturgy of the Good Friday: Holy Communion.  On Thursday evening, at the last supper Jesus said: “Take this all of you and eat it.  This is my body.  Take this all of you and drink it.  This is my blood.”  This offering of Jesus in the context of a meal was perfected at the sacrifice ofCalvary.  Both these events are commemorated at the celebration of the Eucharist at the altar.  The cycle of Jesus’ self-giving becomes complete in our own persons when we receive communion.

Now the altar will be covered, and the consecrated Eucharist will be  brought to the altar.  We will then participate in communion to commemorate the self-giving of Jesus crucified.

Sahaya G. Selvam, sdb