Gospel Reading of the Day
From the holy Gospel according to
 |
| HE BOWED HIS HEAD AND GAVE UP THE SPIRIT. Image from commons.wikimedia.org |
...
After this, aware that everything was now finished, in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I thirst." There was a vessel there filled with common wine. So they put a sponger soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop and put it up to his mouth. When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, "It is finished." And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit.
[Here we pause for a while to give honor to the Lord.]
Now since it was preparation day, in order that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath, for the sabbath day of that week was a solemn one, the Jews asked Pilate that their legs be broken and they be taken down. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and then of the other one who was crucified with Jesus. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs, but one soldier thrust his lance into his side and immediately blood and water flowed out. An eyewitness has testified, and his testimony is true; he knows that he is speaking the truth, so that you also may [come to] believe. For this happened so that the scripture passage might be fulfilled, "Not a bone of it will be broken." And again another passage says, "They will look upon him whom they have pierced." [28 - 37]
...
The Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ
Personal Reflection on the Reading
Sharing for the Day
One commentator said that this Friday is Good because Jesus our Lord gave His all on this day, a sacrifice which manifested God's love for us so that we may be reconciled with Him [see Romans 5:8; 1 Peter 3:18; remember also John 3:16]. That great love was signified further by the flowing out of blood and water from the side of Christ which is recalled by the mixing of a little water into the wine during the Eucharistic celebration.
The day is a mournful day, signified by the stripping of ornaments, leaving the altar bare and leaving the tabernacle open, and it is an occasion to reflect on the importance of our own death to sin in the Death of our Lord. Jesus our Lord did not commit suicide nor did He do it for the sake of a mere spectacle. He gave His life for us, His friends, [see John 15:13] for the atonement of our sins. By doing this, He gave us an example that we may also learn to give our lives for our friends, especially the Lord.
As the Lord accepted His Good Friday, we too must also accept our Good Fridays, so that as the Lord had His Easter Sunday, we too must have our own Easter Sundays. After all, He made it as a requirement for those who wish to be His disciples to follow Him, and made it a necessity for us to become His friends to be ready to offer our lives for the sake of a friend as a sign of great love.
This is the penultimate day of our Online Lenten Retreat. Let us spend time to contemplate on the meaning of His death that we may learn how to live in accordance with the gift of salvation that He has gained for us so that when death comes knocking on our door, we shall never fear for we know we have acquired the certainty of the resurrection because of the Lord's loving sacrifice.
Application of the Message
[1] Prayer
Pray for the grace to accept the certainty of death without fear.
[2] Abstinence
Abstain from something which makes you fear the certainty of death.
[3] Almsgiving
What can you share so that you may inspire someone to accept sufferings in this life and the certainty of death without worry and fear.
No comments:
Post a Comment