2026 Cycle A - Good Friday

Readings

Good Friday

Isa 52:13-53:12; Ps 31:2, 6, 12-13, 15-16, 17, 25; Heb 4:14-16; 5:7-9; John 18:1-19:42

Homily Theme

Love

Holy Thursday the tabernacle was emptied and the altar stripped bare, so as we enter any Catholic Church today, there is no sign of the presence of the Holy Eucharist until it is brought to the altar at the completion of the celebration of the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Today’s somber Liturgy is a series of readings and prayers, lifting up of the crucifix for the veneration of the congregation and closing with the reception of Holy Communion. The Holy Eucharist is again removed from the church and the altar is again stripped. The church now appears as an empty tomb until the Vigil Mass of Holy Saturday when the Mass of the Resurrection of Christ will be celebrated throughout the entire world.

Pilate brings out the bloodied Man Jesus scourged and crowned with thorns. Behold the Man! As the Passion is read today, imagine yourself at the funeral of a loved one. Pick out somebody who is most dear to you: one who loves you and whom you love. Imagine that person being scourged and spat upon, then finally crucified. See the large nails entering that son’s hands and feet.  See that mother’s pain. Watch the mocking crowd jeer at the friend who is taking your place on the cross. Does that move you? It should because the one who loves you, more than any other, is on that cross, and the mother who loves that son and you, is forced to watch in agony.

When the crucifix is lifted in church today, see the one who is dying for love of you. As you kneel before the cross, to kiss it, feel His love for you.  Tell Him you love Him too and you are sorry for you sins for which He paid the penalty. Remember, He died to set you free. See His outstretched hands. He loves you that much with nails in. That is the power of the Crucifix. The great sign of His love for you as God. 

The Priest Holds up the Sacred Species of Bread and Wine. Behold the Lamb of God. Jesus is true Man and True God. You have been invited to Behold the Man now you will be invited Behold your God. Jesus will be lifted in the Holy Eucharist by the priest. He has the now took the form of bread and wine so that He can be your spiritual food and strength. Now, He will live in you and you in Him, just as He said it must be.  The Sacred Host and Chalice contain  the great signs of His Divine love for you as God.