The Lord’s Passion

The celebration of the Lord’s Passion took place at 3pm – Parishioners and others joined via the webcam.

First Reading: from Isaiah 52:13-53:12

The servant song, applied to Christ, gives a horrifying account of his sufferings, and the cause of them – our sins.

Responsorial Psalm: 30 Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.

Second Reading: from the letter to the Hebrews 4:14-16, 5:7-9

Christ embraced our human state and lived through our hardships. Because he was a man without sin God heard him, and all the human race as well on his behalf.

Gospel: according to John 18:1-19:42

St John’s account of the Passion is more reflective and theological. He emphasises Jesus’ obedience to the Father’s will. The Kingship of Jesus is asserted: the crucifixion is a victory; the hour of death is also the hour of triumph. Christ gives his life, he is lifted up on the Cross, but willingly, and only in order to enter into his glory, a glory that is made visible even in this world to the confusion of unbelievers and ending in the defeat of Satan once for all.

My few words:

After the Gospel:

You may remember that in my few words on Palm Sunday I spoke about Sr Francis painting a cross and how she left a gap in the painting for my sins. In the Gospel we have just heard, Christ died for those sins. Jesus, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me a sinner.

Over these few days we celebrate the great act of love of our God and today we experience that love through the Cross. And how much does God love us – this much (stretching out my hands to full width and making a cross like image). God, in Jesus, the Son of God, loves and saves us this much. We adore thee O Christ and we praise thee because by thou holy Cross thou hast redeemed the world.

And in these days of the coronavirus that span of length between Jesus hands is important to us. That two-metre span, that physical distancing that we are asked to put into practice – the shops and

the pavements are marked accordingly – can save so many people. With the example of Jesus on the Cross, let us also help save the world.

********

Litany of Supplication – prayed by Pope Francis last Friday, 27th March – prayed today during the adoration of the Cross.

We adore you, O Lord

Our Saviour, God with us, faithful and rich in mercy We adore you, O Lord King and Lord of creation and of history We adore you, O Lord Conqueror of sin and death We adore you, O Lord Friend of humankind, the Risen One, the Living One who sits at the right hand of the Father. We adore you, O Lord

We believe in you, O Lord

Only begotten Son of the Father, descended from heaven for our salvation We believe in you, O Lord Heavenly physician, who bows down over our misery We believe in you, O Lord Lamb who was slain, who offer yourself to rescue us from evil We believe in you, O Lord Good Shepherd, who give your life for the flock which you love We believe in you, O Lord Living bread and medicine for immortality, who give us eternal life We believe in you, O Lord

Deliver us, O Lord

From the power of Satan and the seductions of the world Deliver us, O Lord From the pride and presumption of being able to do anything without you Deliver us, O Lord From the deceptions of fear and anxiety Deliver us, O Lord From unbelief and desperation Deliver us, O Lord From hardness of heart and the incapacity to love Deliver us, O Lord

Save us, O Lord

From every evil that afflicts humanity Save us, O Lord From hunger, from famine and from egoism Save us, O Lord From illnesses, epidemics and the fear of our brothers and sisters Save us, O Lord From devastating madness, from ruthless interests & from violence Save us, O Lord From being deceived, from false information and the manipulation of consciences Save us, O Lord

Comfort us, O Lord

Protect your Church which crosses the desert Comfort us, O Lord Protect humanity terrified by fear and anguish Comfort us, O Lord Protect the sick and the dying, oppressed by loneliness Comfort us, O Lord

Protect doctors and healthcare providers exhausted by the difficulties they are facing Comfort us, O Lord Protect politicians and decision makers who bear the weight of having to make decisions Comfort us, O Lord

Grant us your Spirit, O Lord

In the hour of trial and from confusion Grant us your Spirit, O Lord In temptation and in our fragility Grant us your Spirit, O Lord In the battle against evil and sin Grant us your Spirit, O Lord In the search for what is truly good and true joy Grant us your Spirit, O Lord in the decision to remain in you and in your friendship Grant us your Spirit, O Lord

Open us to hope, O Lord

Should sin oppress us Open us to hope, O Lord Should hatred close our hearts Open us to hope, O Lord Should sorrow visit us Open us to hope, O Lord Should indifference cause us anguish Open us to hope, O Lord Should death overwhelm us Open us to hope, O Lord

At the end of the liturgy:

Please join me this evening at 7pm for the Stations of the Cross.

Tomorrow evening at 7pm we will gather for the Easter Vigil. Have an unlit candle and some water on the table for that celebration.

Keep safe and well and keep your distance!

Reflection for Good Friday – used while praying the 12th Station of the Cross on Good Friday evening.

The eyes which looked from the manger into his mother’s loving gaze The eyes which looked with compassion on the rich young man The eyes which wept over Jerusalem are now cold and lifeless. The ears which heard the song of the angels The ears which heard the voice say from heaven “This is my beloved Son” The ears which heard the crowd cry out “Crucify him” now hear none of the sobs made over his body

The lips which said to the paralysed man “your sins are forgiven you” The lips which told the parables of the Good Samaritan and the Prodigal Son The lips which said “I am the resurrection and the life” now, drained of colour, smile and speak no more The hands which stilled the storm The hands which blessed the children The hands which healed the blind, deaf and lame now rest motionless, pierced and bloodied.

The feet which climbed the mountain to pray The feet which walked on the water The feet which were washed with the tears of the penitent woman are now twisted, maimed and mutilated. The heart which beat for love of sinners The heart which longs for the peace of the world The heart which beats with our hearts beats no more. Christ has died. He is laid in the tomb.

The Great Silence begins. But the story has just begun …