GOOD FRIDAY: CELEBRATION OF THE LORD'S PASSION (A, B, C) Lectionary #40

The second ritual of the Triduum. We find ourselves between Eucharists, on a day when “according to the Church's ancient tradition, the sacraments are not celebrated.” As with Passion (Palm) Sunday, the focus today is on the proclamation of the Passion, though just as on last Sunday, the popular focus for many people is on something else. Today, it’s the veneration of the cross. Planning should recognize that popular focus but still find ways of calling attention to the Passion narrative in the fourth Gospel.

Music Suggestions

Choral Anthems

Music Suggestions

Isaiah 52:13—53:12. The “fourth song of the servant” repeats the image of the “lamb” from Holy Thursday's first reading, and it adds terrible details of the pain borne by the “man of suffering, accustomed to infirmity.” Though all the details don't fit the story of Jesus' own suffering (for instance, he had no direct descendants), this song has helped us interpret Jesus’ Passion as a redemptive act. Certainly “by his stripes we were healed.”

Psalm of the Day: Ps (30) 31
An individual lament that reveals immense trust in God. As used by the Church, it is placed on the lips of Jesus to express his trust in God even on the cross.

Father, I Put My Life in Your Hands (DeBruyn) GP 194
Father, I Put My Life in Your Hands (McKeon) RS 63/WOR814
Father, I Put My Life in Your Hands (Schiavone) JS 278
Father, I Put My Life in Your Hands (Strahan/Freund)  WC 394
Father, I Put My Life in Your Hands (Talbot) GP 195/JS 287
Father, into Your Hands (Marchionda)  WC 395
I Put My Life in Your Hands/Pongo Mi Vida (Haas) G2 40/GC 42/GC2 31/RS 61
I Put My Life in Your Hands (Haugen) G2 41/GC 43/RS 62
In You, O Lord, I Take Refuge (O'Carroll) CH 123
Padre, en Tus Manos (Montgomery) FYC 194
Padre, en Tus Manos/Father, into Your Hands (Hurd) FYC 195

Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9. Though he was not a member of the priestly tribe of Levi, Jesus is described in the Letter to the Hebrews as “a great high priest” who has broken the mold of priestly identity. As the “source of eternal salvation for all who obey him,” he has the right to appropriate any title that helps us to understand what that salvation might mean for us.

John 18:1—19:42. Like Matthew (see Passion Sunday), John presents Jesus as in charge of his own destiny. John goes farther, however, showing Jesus as totally in control of what happens to him, almost manipulating people into the pattern that will lead to his death. Jesus is the equal of all who address him, speaking on even terms with the high priest and the Roman governor. Note the anti-Jewish feeling in John's narrative. This stems from several events that preceded the final form of this Gospel: the expulsion of some Christians from some synagogues and their denunciation as heretics; the first persecutions of Christians by Roman officials, which caused the Gospel writers to play down Roman involvement in Jesus’ death; and a theology of Jesus’ death which included a belief that he died for the sins of the people, that is, for his own Jewish community. Misunderstood, such anti-Jewish sentiments were used in the past to justify persecutions, pogroms, and even the Holocaust.

Note: The Passion is normally proclaimed by three voices. GIA has a musical setting of this text. However you proclaim the Passion on Good Friday, please do not give the “crowd” lines to the congregation; this is inappropriate.

Veneration of the Cross
Note: As with the proclamation of John’s passion narrative, the “Reproaches” have been used in the past in anti-Jewish ways. If you choose to use the traditional Reproaches during the veneration of the cross, be sure that the homily explains the true meaning of this song, or include a note in the worship aid mentioning that we are the people being reproached. Our sins prepared the cross for the savior.

Adoramus Te  WOR 815
Adoramus Te WOR 815
Adoramus Te Christe GC 396/GC2 400/RS 542
Adoramus Te Domine WOR 548
Behold the Wood GC 420/GC2 437/GP 369
Crucem Tuam/O Lord, Your Cross GC 417/GC2 393/RS 571
Crux Fidelis  WC 751
Down at the Cross LMGM 46
Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross LMGM 45
Jesus, Remember Me GC2 422/RS 770/LMGM 48/WC 221/WOR 423
Jesus the Lord GC2 403/GP 370/RS 574
Lift High the Cross CH 542/GC 791/GC2 785/GP 444/RS 884/WC 748/WOR 704
Mirad la Cruz Cantos 42
My Faith Looks Up to Thee LMGM 221
No Greater Love GC 628/GC2 607/RS 753
O My People By Flowing Waters 129-130
Oh Cruz Fiel y Venerable Cantos 41
Oh Cruz, Te Adoremos FYC 382
Oración en la Cruz FYC 386
Parce Domine GC 383/GC2 412/GP 350/RS 549/WC 518/WOR 416
Pueblo Mio FYC 388
Salvator Mundi WOR 425
Venid, Oh Cristianos Cantos 40/FYC 383
We Acclaim the Cross of Jesus WC 754
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross CH 263/WC 753/WOR 433

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Choral Anthems

* out of print

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