With Holy Week and the Paschal Triduum upon us and, as I have done in past years, I offer this beautiful reflection on Good Friday. As we believe and know as Roman Catholics, Jesus is the beloved Son of God Who was obedient to His Father’s will that all human beings should be redeemed by His death on the cross and His glorious Resurrection on the third day. May each and every one of you receive the abundant blessings and graces of this Easter Sunday! Let us continue to pray for each other. Let us thank God, daily, for the gift of our redemption. Let us show our gratitude by lives lived in imitation of Christ Jesus, Son of God and Savior.
Good Friday
It is Good Friday. The pain-racked body of the Savior has gasped its last. The Redemption has been accomplished, the first to hear the joyous tidings are the patriarchs and prophets of the Old Law who patiently wait for the opening of heaven’s gates. Among them is St. Joseph. Is it not a scene that prompts meditation?
The ancient greyness shifted suddenly and thinned like mist upon the moors before a wind. An old, old prophet lifted a shining face and said: “He will be coming soon. The Son of God is dead, He died this afternoon.”
A murmurous excitement stirred all souls. They wondered if they dreamed–save one old man who seemed not even to have heard. And Moses, standing, hushed them all to ask if any had a welcome song prepared. If not, would David take the task? And if they cared could not the three young children sing the
Benedicite the canticle of praise they made when God kept them from perishing in the fiery blaze?
A breath of spring surprised them, stilling Moses’ words. No one could speak, remembering the first fresh flowers, the little singing birds. Still others thought of fields new-plowed or apple trees all blossom-bowed. Or some, the way a dried bed fills with water laughing down green hills. The fisher folk dreamed of the foam on bright blue seas. The one old man who had not stirred remembered home.
And there He was, splendid as the morning sun and fair, as only God is fair! And they, confused with joy, knelt to adore, seeing that He wore five crimson stars He never had before. No canticle at all was sung. None toned a psalm or raised a greeting song.
A silent man alone of all that throng found tongue–not any other. Close to His Heart when the embrace was done, Joseph said, “How is Your Mother, how is Your Mother, Son?”