Good Friday Reflection

Listen here >>

Sr. Phyllis Jaszkowiak
Good Friday
March 30, 2018

We come to reverence, to venerate the Cross
and love the One who gave His life,
for the poor, the forgotten, the vulnerable of this world.
He was killed because he preached against power over others,
against exploitation of others,
against grabbing all the things of earth
so most have nothing with which to live.
“What killed Christ is what continues to crucify today:
disregard for human life and human dignity,
lust for power, materialism, [racism], violence.
What gives life is faith and love.”  (Verna Holyhead)

We look at the Cross and we see,
“the image of Christ reflected more and more in our own lives,
then we … begin to consider
how we are becoming like Christ in mind, soul and body,”  (Ilia Delio)
 
We see, reflected back to us, the strength to act,
in love, in our world,
despite the seeming consequences of death as the end.
We look at the Cross and see ourselves
as those who need the strength and the courage
to accept that we are loved beyond measure,
and we must love beyond measure.
We look at the Cross
and know that,
if we follow the way of love,
as our hearts break because of love,
we shall end up, in some way, on this Cross.
 
We look at and reverence, venerate, the Cross
to follow love to its end – which is not death,
but being totally wrapped in love.
 
 
Verna A. Holyhead, SGS, THIS DAY, February 2018, page 259.
Ilia Delio, OSF, CLARE OF ASSISI: A HEART FULL OF LOVE.  Franciscan Media, 2007.  Page 50.