Good Friday

March 30, 2018

Readings:

First Reading – Isaiah 52: 13-53:  12

Psalm 31

Second Reading – Hebrews 4: 14-16, 5: 7-9

Gospel reading according to John (18: 1-19: 42)

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Homily:  The Crucifixion of Jesus 

Who would stand in the cross of dying Jesus?  Who was left behind to witness the agonizing conditions of Jesus?  Who would like to look at the wounded body of Jesus?  Who can sympathize to the crucified Christ? 

Only a mother can bear all the pains and wounds and sufferings of his beloved son.  Only those who loved and still love him.  “Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother [Mary] and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleopas, and Mary of Magdala” (John 18: 25).  Only Mary, Jesus’ mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleopas, and Mary of Magdala, and John the beloved disciple were left behind.  They were allowed to come closer to Jesus who was hanging on the cross.

“When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, behold, your son.  Then he said to his disciple, ‘Behold, your mother.’  And from that hour the disciple took her into his home” (John 18: 26-27).  It was said that Mary was already widow to Joseph, no other brothers and sisters, and no other relatives still alive.  As a good and loving son, Jesus did not want Mary to live alone, as he is about to leave, so he entrusted Mary to his beloved disciple – John.  “Woman, behold, your son.”  A mother who is about to lose her son received another son in the person of John whom Jesus trusted and loved.  And John who was losing a Master and Teacher whom he loved also received a mother whom Jesus entrusted to his care. “[John] behold, your mother.”  From now on, you will take care the mother of your and our Lord and Savior, while Mary will love you as her son Jesus loved you so dearly.  When Jesus had given Mary to John, Jesus also is given Mary to the Church as her mother as well.  As a mother, she will protect the Church as she protected Jesus when he was still a young boy up to an adult.  Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us.

Since everything is almost done according to the plan of God, Jesus became thirsty.  “After this, aware that everything was now finished, in order that the scripture might be fulfilled, Jesus said, ‘I thirst.’  There was a vessel filled with common wine.  So they put a sponge soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop and put it up to his mouth.  When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, ‘It is finished.’  And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit” (John 18: 28-30).  After he had taken the wine, it is finished. He fulfilled what was written in the scripture.  Jesus bowed down his head and handed over his spirit to the One who gave it.  Jesus is dead. 

The leaders and elders of the Jews in the temple came to Pontius Pilate to hasten the death of those men crucified by breaking their knees and legs because the Sabbath is coming.  It is rest day. They are not supposed to remain on the cross or to embalm the dead on a Sabbath day.  “Now since it was preparation day, in order that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the Sabbath, for the Sabbath day of the week was a solemn one, the Jews asked Pilate that their legs be broken and they be taken down.  So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and then of the other one who was crucified with Jesus.  But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs, but one soldier thrust his lance into his side, and immediately blood and water flowed out” (John 19: 31-34).  The intentions of the elders and leaders of the Jews were granted, the legs of the two thieves were broken, but Jesus’ legs were not for he was already dead.  But to make sure that he was really dead, one of the soldiers trust a lance into his side, blood and water immediately flowed out.  As the wine mixed with water during the Eucharistic consecration, it turned into Eucharistic Blood of Christ, and the body he offered, as in Eucharistic consecration of the bread became the Eucharistic Body of Christ, for our salvation and eternal life.