The Passion of the Lord
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
The Most Holy Triduum is one extended liturgy. It began as we made the Sign of the Cross yesterday at the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. There was no formal ending to yesterday’s liturgy … no formal beginning or ending to today’s service. Holy Thursday flows into Good Friday, and Good Friday flows seamlessly into the celebration of the Easter Vigil Mass. The Triduum concludes with the final solemn blessing at our Easter Sunday Mass. But for now, on this Good Friday 2026, we sit in a darkened church … no candles ... no bells ... an empty Tabernacle ... and we pray together, deepening our faith in Jesus’ Resurrection.
First Reading: Is 52:13–53:12 – “He himself was wounded for our sins. (Fourth oracle of the Servant of the Lord).”
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 31:2, 6, 12-13, 15-16, 17, 25 – “Father, into Your hands I commend My Spirit.”
Second Reading: Heb 4:14-16; 5:7-9 – “Jesus learned obedience and became the source of salvation for all who obey Him.”
Verse: Phil 2:8-9 – “Christ became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name.”
Gospel: Jn 18:1–19:42 – “The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
For some, sitting or lying down in the dark can be a frightening experience. When we are unable to see around us, our imaginations sometimes tend to run wild … ears can make sounds that easily come to the surface. I remember babysitting for my nieces and nephew many, many years ago, now. Bedtime came and with it came time to say goodnight. They did not want me to leave because they were afraid of the dark. I sat with them, assuring them that there was nothing to fear … there was nothing to be afraid of. They understood me … as long as I was sitting there. Then they wanted me to tell them a story. I was just about to enter the seminary and had a Bible with me, so I slowly read the first five verses of Genesis … then I asked them a question: “Before there was light, where did God live?” “In the dark,” they said. My nieces and nephew were pretty smart. “So, I said, if God lived in darkness, then darkness must be a good thing! Only our imaginations make darkness seem terrible. In darkness, God gently holds us as we slowly and peacefully fall asleep.” And you know what? My nieces and nephew slept well that night. Before long, the fear of the dark was gone for good … and actually my sister-in-law asked me more than once what I told them because she could never quite get a straight answer out of them … she only knew it worked.
This afternoon, we sit in darkness. Good Friday is often called the darkest day of the Church’s calendar year. For only one day a year are the Tabernacles of churches throughout the world empty … there’s no red Presence Lamp lit ... Christ’s light is not here. As we participate in this Good Friday service, we not only think of the Passion and Death of Jesus … maybe, just maybe, we may also be thinking about the darkness in our own lives. Sometimes we may think that our lives and actions have been so dark that God does not even want to be near us. And, if I may respond to that idea, nothing could be further from the truth. Just think of the poem, “Footprints.” When our private world seems darkest, God is gently embracing us. And the Holy Spirit continues to whisper in our ears, “Let there be light.” On Good Friday, Jesus visits our darkness.
Holy Mother Church encourages her faithful to participate as fully as they are able in this three-day celebration of the Most Holy Triduum. Our identity as Roman Catholics is expressed elegantly in these three days. It’s a busy world out there, isn’t it? No one has time nowadays to attend these long liturgies. But once a year we are called to make time for them. And if we are able to make time for these most holy days, we are at the same time deepening our faith lives and humanity. By being present today, we bear subtle witness to those around us … to our family, to our friends, to our neighbors, and to our associates. Believe it or not, we become examples of Christian living.
Death and darkness are major themes on this Good Friday. The Resurrection of Jesus the Christ is the light at the end of the tunnel. We may ponder our own sinfulness … and it is a good thing to remember that the Roman Catholic Church is the home base of second chances. In His self-giving, Jesus has freed us from darkness and the bondage of sin. We only have to say “yes” in order to fully benefit from His graces. It is always darkest before the dawn. Even now, we should be anticipating the Vigil Mass of the Resurrection tomorrow evening. Until then, we wait in quiet stillness for the Real Presence of Jesus Christ which will be within each one of us … each and every time as we share Holy Communion.
So maybe, after hearing the Passion according to Saint John, any other spoken words by me seem to be inadequate. So, my suggestion to all of you? Spend some quiet time this evening reflecting on what you have seen and heard at this Good Friday service of the Passion of the Lord. It will be time well spent, no matter how short or how long. Another recommendation … come back at 7:00p for the Stations of the Cross. Both options will have lasting good effects on you. Take some quiet time to consider … what events in your own life were the darkest? Don’t run away from them. Face them, knowing that Jesus has firm and loving hold of you. Forgiveness and reconciliation are themes that are often overlooked by many on this day. It takes a strong and loving heart to forgive … and to accept forgiveness. Do not be afraid … be loving. Make an appointment with yourself for some peace and quiet on this Good Friday. Honor that appointment. The Holy Spirit waits for you.
With all that being said, I’d like to take this opportunity to say if I have offended any of you in any way, I’m sorry. I’m human, I make mistakes, and even at 62, I’m still learning ... please don’t think, because I don’t, that just because I’m a Priest means I have it all figured out. If something I do really bothers you or disturbs you, please don’t be afraid to come and talk to me about it. As I said above, forgiveness and reconciliation are themes sometimes overlooked today. It takes a strong heart to forgive. It takes a strong heart to accept forgiveness. If there’s something bothering you about me or about someone else, talk to them about it, perhaps learn a bit about who they are ... and why they do what they do ... and with a new understanding, reconcile.
In a few moments, just before we receive Jesus in Communion at this service, we will come forward and reverence Him on the cross. Believe that the crucified and glorified Jesus will lead each one of us to new life. We just need to be open and allow it to happen.
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