Some Note on Good Friday

Good Friday April 7, 2023 

 1. In the Apostles' Creed, we declare: "I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God.... For our sake, he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death, and was buried." On this most holy day, Good Friday, we commemorate the Passion and Death of the Lord. "Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures" (1 Cor. 15:3). Because God "loved us," he "sent his Son to be the expiation for our sins" (1 Jn. 4:10). By his loving obedience to the Father, "unto death, even death on a cross" (Phil. 2:8), Jesus fulfills the atoning mission of the Suffering Servant (see Is. 53:10), who will make "many righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities" (Is. 53:11; see Rom. 5:19). 

 2. In the 17th century, following an earthquake in Peru, the 3-hr service, a meditation on Jesus' "Seven Last Words on the Cross," was introduced to the liturgy by the Jesuits. It takes place between noon and 3:00 PM. 

 3. The liturgy of Good Friday falls into three parts: Liturgy of the Word, Veneration of the Cross, and Holy Communion. The Eucharist is not celebrated, except for Penance and the Anointing of the Sick. 

 4. The Liturgy of the Word: The celebrant makes a solemn but silent entrance, without any singing. He makes a full prostration in the sanctuary before the altar, a symbol of grief over the death of Jesus and sorrow for our sins. Then, without any greeting, he prays the Collect, and the Readings begin. 

 5. The 1st Reading is the 4th Servant Poem of Isaiah (Is. 52:13-53:12), the most beautiful and powerful of the 4 Poems. The readings culminate with John's triumphant Passion Narrative. Then follow the comprehensive Great Intercessions. We pray for the church, the pope, the clergy, the laity, candidates for Baptism and Confirmation, the unity of Christians, the Jewish people, non-Christians, unbelievers, civil authorities, and all those in need. 

 6. The Veneration of the Cross: the celebrant gradually unveils in three stages a portable covered cross with a chant. The unveiled Cross is then venerated. Because of the massive crowd, the veneration is continued after the liturgy. 

 7. Holy Communion: This is sometimes called "the Mass of the Presanctified." The Liturgy begins with the Our Father. The Blessed Sacrament, consecrated at the Lord's Supper, is distributed for Communion. The Good Friday Liturgy ends with a final blessing prayer and the altar is stripped bare. 

 8. In the Philippines, the Santo Entierro, the image of the dead Christ lying inside glass panels, is brought in procession through parts of the town with a massive crowd of the faithful. Veneration of the Cross resumes and continues into the night. 

 9. Devotional prayers, that are related to Good Friday, include the Stations of the Cross, Acts of Reparation to Jesus Christ and to Mary, and the Novena to the Divine Mercy. 

 10. Prayer -- Lord, send down your blessing upon us, your people, who devoutly recall the death of your Son in the sure hope of the resurrection. Grant us pardon and bring us comfort. May our faith grow stronger and our eternal salvation be assured, through Christ our Lord. Amen. "We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. Because by your holy Cross, you have redeemed the world." Prayers, stay safe, God bless!