From: joachim omolo ouko
Friday, April 18, 2014
This afternoon we have gathered here my fellow Christians to commemorate the death of Jesus Christ on the Cross, the act that brought salvation to all who believe. It is the culmination of Holy Week, which begins on Palm Sunday, and it takes place two days before Easter Sunday.
You have walked with heavy crosses for almost 3 hours from your various centres, that is, Olua, Osiri Pala, Lisuka and Obambo for the reception of 14th station. You are so tired of course, but your tiredness is not in vain.
The cross of Jesus is where we receive divine forgiveness, mercy, and peace. Your longer walk with heavy crosses demonstrates exactly this fact. Jesus willingly took our divine punishment, the result of God’s righteousness against sin.
You may wonder why the day is called Good Friday when as a matter of fact it would have been called sorrowful as Germs refer to it. The day is called good because Christ, by his death, “showed his great love for mankind.
Even though no Mass is celebrated on this day, the service of Good Friday is called the Mass of the Pre-sanctified because Communion (in the species of bread) which had already been consecrated on Holy Thursday is given to the people.
Readings are just like normal days of masses. First reading is taken from Isaiah 52:13 — 53:12, Psalms from Psalm 31:2, 6, 12-13, 15-17, 25, second Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9, the narrative Gospel is taken from John 18:1 — 19:42.
Traditionally, the organ is silent from Holy Thursday until the Alleluia at the Easter Vigil, as are all bells or other instruments, the only music during this period being unaccompanied chant. We can see that the parts of the Good Friday service correspond to the divisions of Mass:
Some none Catholics have wondered why we adore the cross during Good Friday. Adoration or veneration of an image or representation of Christ’s cross does not mean that we actually adore the material image, of course, but rather what it represents.
In kneeling before the crucifix and kissing it we are paying the highest honor to our Lord’s cross as the instrument of our salvation. We look at Jesus on that cross. That is why we affirm: ‘We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee because by Thy Holy Cross Thou has Redeemed the World.’
Looking at the Cross in prayer helps us to truly see it. Most Christians have crosses in their homes. Many wear a cross around their necks. Some of these are very beautiful, perhaps made of precious metal and embellished with jewels.
That is why parents are motivated to encourage their children to wear crucifix, learn to make the sign of the cross, and try to imitate what they see family members doing at the blessing before meals even before they can talk or before going to bed.
Crucifixes are always found in Catholic churches and chapels over the altar and are always carried in liturgical processions, they are found in Catholic institutions, hospitals, schools and on the walls in our homes. The Pope’s ceremonial staff has a crucifix attached to it as well.
Fr Joachim Omolo Ouko, AJ
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