Good Friday 2020 St. Augustine of Canterbury Parish

 

Theme: “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world,

to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” (John

18:37)

 

Be exalted and lifted up

In the Old Testament, we noticed how God exalted and lifted up so many people:

Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Elijah’ David, etc.). The Prophet Isaiah foretold how God

would exalt and lift up his son in different way as part of his work of salvation: “See, my

servant shall prosper; he shall be exalted and lifted up, and shall be very high” (Isaiah

52:13). The Prophet Isaiah also announced that God would send his servant (his son) to

bear the bruises and pains of his people:

“Surely he has borne our infirmities and carried our diseases;

yet we accounted him stricken,

struck down by God, and afflicted.

But he was wounded for our transgressions,

crushed for our iniquities;

upon him was the punishment that made us whole,

and by his bruises we are healed.

All we like sheep have gone astray.” (Isaiah 52: 4-6)

The celebration of the 2020 Passion of the Lord is a reminder that whenever any human

person suffers infirmities and diseases, or afflicted and stricken, Jesus obtains healing

from God for the people, because “by his bruises we are healed.” What can we do to

reduce the instances of bruises in humanity, borne by Jesus Christ? In all adversities, we

can count on the tears and cries of the prayers of Jesus. The supplications of Jesus will lift

us up:

“In the days of his flesh,

Jesus offered up prayers and supplications,

with loud cries and tears,

to the one who was able to save him from death,

and he was heard because of his reverent submission.

Although he was a Son,

he learned obedience through what he suffered;

and having been made perfect,

he became the source of eternal salvation

for all who obey him.” Hebrews 5:7-9)

What can we do to reduce the instances of the tears and cries borne by Jesus Christ on

behalf of each human person who suffers?

 

Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice

Whenever we celebrate the Passion of Jesus, we are summoned to be exalted and lifted

up in his truth:

“Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not from this world.

If my kingdom were from this world,

my followers would be fighting

to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish authorities.

But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.”

Pilate asked him, “So you are a king?”

Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king.

For this I was born,

and for this I came into the world,

to testify to the truth.

Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” (John 18:36-37)

The Passion of Christ enables us to be in the kingdom of his truth with regard to his

savings works (his authority over diseases, his power over evil, his rule over dominions,

etc.) that he inaugurates. How can we help so that the works of Jesus Christ are exalted

and lifted up at all times? During the Mass, for example, whenever we are invited “’lift

up your hearts’ ‘We lift them up to the Lord’,” let us be part of the higher truth of the

authority, power and kingdom within which Jesus is bringing all humanity. In our daily

interactions, let us make sure that each person’s word, comments, and actions help to

exalt and lift up the image of God in each person.