“Save us, Savior of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free.” My brothers and sisters our Eucharistic Acclamation, silenced on this singular day in the Church’s year of grace when the Eucharist is not celebrated, captures the heart of the mystery of our faith.
Through the paschal journey of the one who emptied himself to become one like us in all things but sin, the Lord Jesus has embraced even the human reality of death itself as he fulfilled the Father’s plan to draw all things to himself in his love.
Outside of this utterly unique moment of pandemic, we would normally gather in our churches, with altars stripped bare, the abiding Eucharistic presence of the Lord removed, sacred images taken away - leaving only one that rivets our minds and hearts to the profound mystery of a limitless love - the image of the cross.
Our Passion Proclamation this Good Friday is that which has been proclaimed on this solemn day from the earliest days of the Church - from the Gospel of John. A Passion narrative that proclaims not a victim but a victor who, with courage, embraces his destiny for the life of the world.
In liturgical celebrations, the simple wooden cross will be lovingly borne into our churches, held high as the trophy for all those for whom the darkness of this world has been vanquished by the light and life of our victorious Savior. That cross has now become the sign of our victory with Christ over the power of sin and death. For this is the word of the cross, on which hung the savior of the world.
As we in spirit venerate the wood of the cross, let us bring to that symbol of triumph, the challenges and difficulties, the pains and anxieties, the worries and sufferings of all those whom we both know and love as well as all those who suffer within the human family alone or abandoned, especially those who have died alone in this worldwide pandemic. May they come to know the power and freedom of Him whose unconditional love is boundless and whose mercy is without end. Come, let us worship.