HOMILY FOR GOOD FRIDAY – YEAR B
BY: Fr Francis Onwunali
Today, the Church celebrates one of her oldest liturgical rites – the Liturgy of Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion. Although we do not celebrate the full Eucharistic Liturgy, we reflect on God’s Word to us, which speaks on the One Who willingly suffers so that others may have their sins taken away. We also contemplate the Wood of the Cross on which our Saviour hung. In order that we might not be without the nourishment of our souls, we are able to receive the Lord’s Body, which He gave up as the ultimate sign of His love for us. This day, we come together to remember the mystery of our salvation by re-living the saving acts of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus, the Christ. We become participants in His giving of His life for our salvation.
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The first reading is the fourth Suffering Servant Song of prophet Isaiah (Is. 52: 13- 53: 12). It speaks of the Suffering Servant (Jesus) as One at Whom no one would be able to look at, suffering at the hands of others, being rejected and stricken, afflicted and pierced, carrying the sinfulness of others. He surrenders Himself to death in order to win pardon for our offences. This is all fulfilled in John’s narrative of the passion and death of Jesus (John 18: 1- 19: 42).
Dear friends, the agony of Jesus, which includes not only physical agony of severe scourging, crowning with thorns, bloody cloths along with flesh being torn from His body, nailing, and the pains of crucifixion, but also the emotional pain of seeing His mother at the foot of His cross, are presented to us today as an act of God’s love for us. It is “Good Friday” because today, darkness, sin, and death are defeated; God’s love is enthroned, our sins are forgiven, and victory over death is gained. Do I follow the Lord Jesus in His way of the cross, bearing my own cross with joy, hope, and confidence?
I pray that as we journey in life today, we will not crucify Jesus again by our actions. Rather, our lives may radiate this sacrificial love He offered through His death. May our hardened hearts be softened by such an amazing love. May we sacrificially care for others at every challenging time as Christ has cared for us in our weaknesses. Have a good “Good Friday”!
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