Is 52:13-53:12; Ps 31:2, 6, 12-13, 15-17, 25; Heb 4:14-16; 5:7-9; Jn 18:1-19:42
We remember the passion and death of Christ today. The liturgy is not a Mass. We begin with a short time of silent, reverent prayer. Then we move into the Liturgy of the Word. The first two readings give many images for the sacrifice of Christ. We learn that he is a suffering servant who entered willingly into his passion and death. We remember that Jesus was fully human and has shared in human suffering.
Then we hear the passion story from the gospel of John. Each of the four gospels has a different account wherein details are added or omitted and varied parts are emphasized. John portrays the death of Jesus as the King whose destiny is being fulfilled and whose hour of glory is the cross.
It’s not as if we don’t remember the story, or we pretend that we don’t know the outcome. Our faith teaches us that this is not just an historical account of events that happened long ago. We make this moment present every time we celebrate the Mass. We remind ourselves that we are part of a community—a Church—of people redeemed by Christ and we are called to reach out to others, following Christ’s own model of self-sacrifice.
Next, we pray longer intercessions than usual, interceding for the whole world redeemed by Christ.
The high point of the service is the veneration of the cross. We process into the worship space with a large cross. We venerate that cross in a solemn manner. This is not idolatry or adoration of an inanimate object. No. We adore the concept, the cross of Christ, the instrument of salvation, the method of sacrifice. The cross is triumph not defeat. We ritualize this in our worship, literally processing to the cross (and beyond), reminding ourselves of the stark reality of our faith—there is both cost and treasure in discipleship.
Prepare for this service by prayerfully mediating on John 18:1-19:42. Compare the details with the Passion of Luke we heard on Sunday. Reflect on what crosses you have carried in your life and whether you also experienced a resurrection moment for each cross. What does it mean to be living out your baptismal call, answering these words of Jesus: “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” (Mt 16:24)
