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 Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion, the focus today is on the proclamation of the Passion, though just as on last Sunday, the popular focus for many people is on the ritual unique to the day, in this case, the veneration of the cross. Planning should recognize that popular focus but still find ways of calling attention to the Passion narrative from the fourth Gospel.

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 (Talbot) GP 195/JS 287

I Put My Life in Your Hands/Pongo Mi Vida (Haas) G2 40/GC 42/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 Palm Sunday), John presents Jesus 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 terms of equality 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 Christians from some synagogues and their denunciation as heretics to the Roman authorities; 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. In whatever form 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 Christe GC 396/RS 542

Adoramus Te Domine WOR 548

Behold the Wood GC 420/GP 369

Crucem Tuam/O Lord, Your Cross GC 417/RS 571

Down at the Cross LMGM 46

Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross LMGM 45

Jesus, Remember Me RS 770/LMGM 48/WOR 423

Jesus the Lord GP 370/RS 574

Lift High the Cross CH 542/GC 791/GP 444/RS 884/WC 778/WOR 704

Mirad la Cruz Cantos 42

My Faith Looks Up to Thee LMGM 221

No Greater Love GC 628/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/GP 350/RS 549/WC 504/WOR 416

Pueblo Mio FYC 388

Salvator Mundi WOR 425

Venid, Oh Cristianos Cantos 40/FYC 383

We Acclaim the Cross of Jesus WC 540