Good Friday Reflections

CLICK HERE for the Audio recording of the Readings of
April 10th, 2020.  Good Friday of the Lord's Passion.

CLICK HERE for the Readings of April 10th, 2020.  Good Friday of the Lord's Passion.

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April 10th, 2020.  Good Friday of the Lord's Passion.

 

“Yet it was our pain that he bore, our sufferings he endured.” 
 Isaiah 53: 4 

Death (self-giving) brings life to the community
 

Being successful (success!), how does the world around us define ‘success’?  What does it consist to be successful? On the other hand, how does the world around us define ‘failure’?  For anyone listening to the readings who prescribes to the biblical tradition, there is a paradox for you- what in the eyes of people is failure, in God’s eyes is success. (Welcome to the upside down kingdom of God!).
 
The hard question of Good Friday is, whose world will pull or attract us in?  God’s view or the world's view?
The first Christians are totally devastated by the tragic death of Jesus, they are lost, hence the prophet Isaiah tells a prophecy of a servant, the best in the community, who has chosen and sent to bring hope to his people.  He is going to bring hope, however in a rather ‘disturbing’ way.  The King that he will become, he will rule shockingly- not as the world understands. He will prosper- but through the taking on of his people’s sins and burdens.  He will volunteer to suffer for people who deserve punishment.  Now, is this a king? 
He will be a victim of hate, injustice and violence, he will be oppressed and condemned, and taken away to his death.  Yet, it is exactly and only through this way that he will be victorious- through defeat, humiliation and death. Only then will he be a light of the nations.
What sort of king is this?
 
I have told you much about kings in Uganda; they are nothing like this. In my tribe, the king is everything.  Everything is the king and everything belongs to him. Some of the names we give our king are: magulu nnyondo (Legged in Iron), Maaso mwogi (sharp eyes) , Ssaabasajja (Great man among men) – he is power!
 
But, Not this king we listen to in the first reading.  The king who is servant is the king we truly need and long for.  One who knows our very weakness, one who is able to identify with us.  One who is more so willing to take on our burdens for us, to bring along to a pathway of hope. This is the God we need. 
 
There are many people right now who need to hear this message.  People who are experiencing a ‘long lent’. People for whom Good Friday is not just today, but has been for a long time!  Maybe their lifetime.  People who see and breathe suffering and abandonment all the time.  God is near and that’s enough.
 
The Jesus of Today‘s Gospel is a Man in control.  Right from the start, He does not hide.  He asks those who come to arrest him: ‘Whom are you looking for?’ and soon after says: I AM.  The intimidation and gust of suffering does not frighten him at all. He has a strong exchange with Pilate and Jesus seems to be the judge.  He asks the questions like one in command.  Pilate, probably privately believes in his innocence, but he wants and falls for appeasement of the Jews. 
Jesus, in doing all this, has mastered our greatest fear- suffering and death, but all not for himself, but for others, us!

What must we then do with all this?  Does Good Friday make any sense? 
Yes! Firstly, because suffering is present and part of our lives, we need this kind of God with us. He (Jesus) walks the walk, to lead us to hope and life.
Secondly, suffering is necessary! Death/self-giving bring life to a community.  Self-sacrifice for the greater good or the common good is vital to our world, society and humanity.  In a world where the Gospel is often- the survival of the fittest or every person for himself or everything for me, a Christian outlook and way of life/witness is the only hope.   And we know that ‘self-serve world’ collapses soon or later.  

Let’s also be courageous, not to compromise like Pilate.  When we see the truth, not fall for appeasements that are fleetly and delusional.  We must follow Christ who brings to joys beyond just earthly things.

Lord, we need your grace.

Fr. Anthony

Dear Friends,
In an effort to continue the practice of our faith in these trying times due to the restrictions around the coronavirus, we invite you to join us online for Palm Sunday and Holy Week Masses.

Palm Sunday and Holy Week Mass Schedule:

April 5:  Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord: 
WATCH HERE: 8:00AM Saint Boniface with Fr. Anthony as the celebrant.

April 9: Holy Thursday of the Lord’s Supper:  
WATCH HERE: 7:00PM Saint Boniface with Fr. Anthony as the celebrant.

April 10: Good Friday of the Lord's Passion:  
WATCH HERE:  7:00PM Saint Boniface with Fr. Anthony as the celebrant.

April 11: Holy Saturday, Easter Vigil of the Holy Night :
WATCH HERE:  3:00PM Rome with Pope Francis as the celebrant.
WATCH HERE:  7:30PM Saint Boniface with Fr. Anthony as the celebrant.

April 12: Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord: 
WATCH HERE:  5:00AM Rome with Pope Francis as the celebrant.
WATCH HERE:  10:00AM Diocese of Worcester with Bishop Robert McManus as the celebrant.
WATCH HERE: 12:30PM Los Angeles with Bishop Robert Barron, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, as the celebrant.

VIEW HERE Saint Boniface's YouTube channel.