Thursday, March 29, 2018
GOOD FRIDAY OF THE LORD'S PASSION
March 30, 2018 - GOOD FRIDAY OF THE LORD'S PASSION
[Day of Fast (ages 18- 59) and Abstinence (age 14 and up)]
No Mass. Red.
Is 52:13- 53: 12 / Heb 4:14 -16; 5: 7-9 / Jn 18: 1- 19: 42
FROM THE 2ND READING: Heb 5: 7- 9
Christ, in the days of his mortal life, offered his sacrifice with tears and cries. He prayed to him who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his humble submission. Although he was Son, he learned through suffering what obedience was, and once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for those who obey him.
GOSPEL READING: Jn 18: 1 - 19: 42
The Passion of Our Lord according to John.
REFLECTION
The liturgy of Good Friday is made up of three parts: the Liturgy of the Word at which the Passion of Christ according to St. John is proclaimed and which ends with the Solemn Intercessions, the Adoration of the Holy Cross and Holy Communion.
The best minds and the great religions have tried but have failed to explain the problem of suffering. Buddhism, for example, teaches that suffering is an illusion, caused by desire. If one has no desire, he has no suffering. But try telling that to someone whose entire family was killed after the killers gang-raped his wife.
Looking at the cross today, how does Christ deal with our problem of suffering? Unlike the philosophers and the ancient religion figures, Christ does not try to explain suffering.
Jesus' first response to our suffering? He himself experienced our suffering. Have you ever been abandoned or betrayed by family and friends? On Palm Sunday the crowds wanted to make Jesus King; on Good Friday the same crowds shouted for his crucifixion. At his arrest at the Gethsemane, his disciples "all deserted him and fled." (Mk 14: 50)
Have you ever been the victim of injustice, falsely accused and persecuted? Have you ever been helpless while the powerful hurt and laughed at you? Have you ever failed after doing your best, in your business or career? In your marriage or friendships? At his passion Jesus was with us in our suffering.
Jesus' second response to our suffering? He gives meaning to our suffering. His suffering is his expression of love for us: "This is your calling: remember Christ who suffered for you, leaving an example so that you may follow in his way." (1 Pt 2: 21) He makes our suffering the instrument of our transformation: "we feel secure even in trials knowing that trials produce patience, from patience comes merit, merit is the source of hope." (Rom 5: 3)
Sufferings become for us the most effective prayer to gain blessings for others: "I rejoice when I suffer for you: I complete in my own flesh what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ for the sake of his body, which is the Church." (Coil: 24) Jesus makes our sufferings our sure path to joy and resurrection: "you should be glad to share in the sufferings of Christ because, on the day his Glory is revealed, you will fully rejoice." (1 Pt 4: 13)
Today on Good Friday let us beg Jesus that we may accompany him in his sufferings, that we may be "sorrowful with Christ in sorrow and be in anguish with Christ in anguish," so that on Easter morning we may fully share in his victory, power and joy.
WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER INTENTIONS:
BIRTHDAY
Cheri!yn (Pie) Chua
Frederick Go
Ces C. Jose
THANKSGIVING
Wong Chu King Foundation
Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most.
Have a good day!
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