Isaiah 52.13–53.12 | Hebrews 4.14-16,5.7-9 | John 18.1–19.42

In this Easter Triduum, we arrive at Good Friday, a penitential day of fasting and abstinence. It is the only day of the year when there is no Mass, but only the adoration of the Holy Cross. The Mass that began on Holy Thursday continues until the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday.

It is now three in the afternoon, the hour when the crucified Jesus gave up His Spirit.

Today the evangelist John tells us about the passion, death and burial of Jesus. Betrayed by Judas Iscariot with a kiss, after the Last Supper, Jesus was arrested and handed over to the Jewish and Roman authorities, was denied by Simon Peter, was exchanged for Barabbas by the crowd, was unjustly condemned to death by Pontius Pilate, was scourged and nailed to the cross by the soldiers, where He died.

For John, who is identified as the beloved disciple in this Gospel, Jesus was aware of everything and had total control of the situation. No one took Jesus' life; it was He who freely gave it up for the salvation of the world. He died for the people.

Before the Cross were the Mother of Jesus, the beloved disciple, and Mary Magdalene. Before giving up His Spirit, Jesus extended the motherhood of His Mother Mary to His disciples, represented by the beloved disciple. And from that moment on, He welcomed Her into His own.

Contemplating the Crucified Savior, let us worship God for such a great proof of love and mercy for humanity. Jesus went through all this for us, for the forgiveness of our sins, for our salvation. Let us worship the Holy Cross, which was a Roman instrument of torture and death, but was made the Tree of Life. On the Cross, the Blood of the Savior was shed for reconciliation, for the justification of sinners. And, like the beloved disciple, let us welcome the Mother of Christ as our Mother, the Mother of those unjustly crucified. Today the prophet Isaiah tells us about the violent death and burial of the suffering Servant of the Lord, a mysterious character to whom Isaiah dedicated four canticles. Today’s passage corresponds to the fourth canticle. The Servant would be wronged and extremely mistreated, to the point that no one would be able to look at him.

The righteous Servant would make countless men righteous, taking their sins upon Himself. He would give up His body to death, being considered an evildoer; He would, in fact, redeem the sins of all and intercede on behalf of sinners.

For us Christians, Jesus is the suffering Servant of the Lord, who was scourged and tortured according to the cruelty of Roman methods. Through His Passion and death on the Cross, voluntarily accepted, the reconciliation of sinners with God took place, and the world was justified. He is the author of our salvation.

Let us wholeheartedly value the sacrifice of the suffering Servant Jesus for us. There is no greater proof of love! Let us learn to carry our own cross with patience, without murmuring against God. Let us proclaim the redemptive power of the Cross, while offering our solidarity to the victims of the injustices of our time.

Today the author of the Letter to the Hebrews speaks to us of the obedience and suffering of Jesus, the eminent High Priest. Because He was tested in every way as we are, Jesus is able to sympathize with our weaknesses. In the days of His earthly life, Jesus offered 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 surrender to God. In the consummation of His life, Jesus became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him.

Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with all confidence, so that we may obtain mercy and obtain the grace of help at the right time. Let us value the sacrament of Reconciliation, by which we are absolved from mortal sins through the Church, through ordained ministers, in the confessional. Let us always be obedient to God, especially in times of suffering.