Good Friday
Daily Prayer
Lord Jesus, there is something awesome about Your silence. You were silent as Herod mocked You and spit on You. You were silent as Pilate questioned You. You were silent as the mob called for Your death. When You broke Your silence, Lord, it was to teach us one last time about Your message of forgiveness. Your mission of salvation was completed. Teach us when to be silent and when to speak out. Amen
Scripture Readings
Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Hebrews 4:14-5:9; John 18:1–19:42
(Click for today’s Readings.)
Scripture Quote
John 18:11
Jesus said to Peter:
“Shall I not drink the cup that the Father gave me?”
Reflection
On this Good Friday, we Christians find an explanation for the mystery of death and life that we would never be able to understand using only our human faculties. The Word of God reveals the mystery to us.
In the First Reading by Isaiah, we see in Jesus a very personal Servant of God undergoing the painful path of the cross and death. The Servant finds salvific meaning to his pain in a loving dialogue with God. That meaning is to surrender Himself to death to “take away the sins of many, and win pardon for their offenses.”
In the painful drama of the Passion Reading, we see that Jesus never loses contact with his Father: “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me… My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?… Father, into your hands I entrust my spirit.” And it is in this dialogue with His Father that Jesus discovers the meaning of what was, in appearances, a failure.
We all tremble at the thought of having to face death alone. The presence of a loved one gives us comfort and strength to overcome this test. The presence of God and Jesus our Savior lets us discover the meaning that our pain and our death must have. God will always be by our side. In a sincere and loving dialogue with God, we will regain hope again.
Reflection Questions
How will I reflect and give thanks for the ultimate sacrifice Jesus made for me and for the world?
How can I make myself more worthy to receive Your gifts?
Excerpts from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
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