Good Friday

• First Reading: Isaiah 52:13-53:12: A prophetic passage in the Hebrew Bible that describes the suffering of a righteous servant who is despised and rejected by others but ultimately bears their sins and brings healing through his sacrifice. The passage is often interpreted as a foreshadowing of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and is considered a central text in Christian theology.
• Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 31: These verses include the words spoken by Jesus on the cross as he surrendered his spirit to God. Despite scorn and isolation, my faith in the Lord as my refuge remains unshaken. Entrusting my future to His mercy, I seek His light and salvation, encouraging all to remain steadfast in their hope in the Lord.
• Second Reading: Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9 : Jesus is the ultimate high priest who sympathizes with human weakness and has made a perfect sacrifice for sin, thus providing a way for humanity to approach God with confidence. The passage urges readers to hold fast to their faith in Jesus, who has been appointed by God as the source of eternal salvation.
• Gospel: John 18:1-19:42: Jesus, after being betrayed by Judas, was arrested and faced trials before Jewish and Roman leaders, culminating in his crucifixion. Despite Pilate’s hesitation, pressured by Jewish authorities and a manipulated crowd, he consented to Jesus’ death. Jesus was crucified at Golgotha alongside two others. Before his death, he ensured care for his mother and declared his mission fulfilled. His side was pierced, verifying his death. Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus buried Jesus in a new tomb, marking the preparation day’s urgency.

On Good Friday, Catholics remember the death by crucifixion of Jesus Christ. This is a solemn day of fast and abstinence.  Traditionally mass is not celebrated on Good Friday. Instead a service with a reading of the passion of Jesus Christ, veneration of the cross, and distribution of communion (consecrated on Holy Thursday) is held.

Good Friday’s liturgy is profound and rich in themes that resonate with the core of Christian faith and spirituality. Here are some of the central themes derived from the readings:

• Suffering and Sacrifice: The First Reading from Isaiah describes the suffering servant who bears the sins of many. This aligns with the portrayal of Jesus in the Gospel, who undergoes immense suffering and sacrifice on the cross for humanity’s salvation.
• Redemption and Salvation: The readings collectively highlight the theme of redemption. Jesus’ sacrifice is presented as the means through which humanity is redeemed and offered salvation, especially emphasized in the Second Reading from Hebrews, which talks about Jesus as the high priest who offers a perfect sacrifice.
• Unwavering Faith and Trust in God: Psalm 31 reflects Jesus’ trust in God even in the face of death. This theme encourages believers to maintain their faith and trust in God’s plan, especially during trials and sufferings.
• Human Weakness and Divine Mercy: The Letter to the Hebrews emphasizes Jesus’ ability to sympathize with human weakness, urging believers to approach the throne of grace with confidence. This highlights God’s mercy and compassion towards humanity.
• Fulfillment of Scripture: The events of Good Friday, as narrated in the Gospel according to John, fulfill Old Testament prophecies, including the suffering servant in Isaiah. This theme underscores the continuity between the Old and New Testaments and God’s plan for salvation.
• Love and Forgiveness: Jesus’ actions and words, even in the midst of suffering, reflect divine love and the call to forgiveness. This is a powerful message for believers to emulate in their lives.
• The Mystery of the Cross: Good Friday invites Christians to reflect on the mystery and paradox of the cross: through death comes life, and through suffering, redemption. It’s a call to find hope in despair and life in death.

These themes are not only central to the commemoration of Good Friday but also offer deep insights for reflection, prayer, and living out one’s faith in daily life.

See the Homilies and Reflections section and the More Thoughts section for further expansion on these readings and some reflection questions for Good Friday.

Stations of the Cross

Good Friday’s Stations of the Cross is a poignant Lenten tradition. In this devotion, we walk alongside Jesus to Calvary, reflecting on his profound sacrifice. Each station focuses on his sufferings and the encounters with those he met along his path.

This journey invites us to meditate on the depth of his love and the price of our salvation. It’s a time to connect deeply with Christ’s passion, understanding the enormity of his gift to humanity.

Understanding the Holy Triduum

The feasts of Holy Week—Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter—mirror the Jewish spring feasts, highlighting the deep connection between Christianity and Judaism.

Holy Thursday’s Last Supper aligns with the Jewish Passover, commemorating the Israelites’ deliverance from Egypt, and coincides with Jesus instituting the Eucharist. Good Friday, the day Jesus died, parallels the Passover sacrifice, emphasizing Jesus as the Lamb of God who delivers from sin. Holy Saturday relates to the Feast of Unleavened Bread, symbolizing the rejection of sin, while Easter Sunday celebrates Jesus’ Resurrection as the fulfillment of the Feast of First Fruits, promising new life.

This sequence not only commemorates historical events but also signifies Jesus’ fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, deepening the spiritual significance of Holy Week and underscoring the transformative power of Christ’s Passion, Death, and Resurrection.

My Crosses

Good Friday is a solemn day for Catholics, as we remember the sacrifice that Jesus made for us on the cross. This day calls us to reflect on the many crosses that we face in our own lives, and to consider the ways in which we can unite our own struggles with Christ’s sacrifice.

As we meditate on the events of Good Friday, we are reminded of the suffering that Jesus endured on the cross. We are called to remember that Jesus willingly took on this suffering out of love for us, and that his sacrifice opened the door to eternal life for all who believe in him.

In light of this sacrifice, we must ask ourselves: what crosses do I need to face today? What struggles am I enduring that I can offer up to Jesus in union with his suffering?

Hope in the Darkness

The events of Good Friday are incredibly difficult to comprehend, let alone to come to terms with. Jesus, who had spent his life healing the sick and the broken, was betrayed by one of his closest friends, denied by another, and handed over to be crucified by the very people he had come to save. It is no wonder that we feel such a deep sense of sadness and grief as we remember these events.

Yet, even in the midst of this darkness, there is also a sense of hope that permeates Good Friday. We know that Jesus did not simply die, but that he was also resurrected three days later. This is the very foundation of our faith as Catholics – that even in the darkest moments of our lives, there is always hope for a better tomorrow.

Why Did Jesus Die?

But why did Jesus have to die? In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus pleaded with God to take the cup of suffering away from him, yet he ultimately submitted to God’s will. Jesus’ death was not something he desired or sought out, but it was necessary to fulfill God’s plan for salvation.

However, it was not only God’s plan that led to Jesus’ death. Humanity played a role in his crucifixion. People resented and feared Jesus’ revelation of God’s love, preferring instead a harsh, predictable god whom they could control. They did not understand or accept Jesus’ message of love, and this ultimately led to his death.

So, the question we should reflect on is not “Why did Jesus die?” but rather “Why did humanity kill Jesus?” It is a reminder that we are all sinners in need of redemption, and that our rejection of love can lead us to do terrible things. Jesus’ death on the cross is a powerful symbol of God’s boundless love for us, a love that is out of control in its generosity and mercy. On this Good Friday, let us reflect on this love and seek to live our lives in a way that honors Jesus’ sacrifice.

• What crosses or struggles am I facing in my life right now?
• How can I unite my suffering with Christ’s sacrifice on the cross?
• In what ways can I offer up my struggles as a sacrifice for the sake of others?
• What emotions do you associate with Good Friday, and why?
• How do you feel when you reflect on the events of Jesus’ crucifixion?
• Can you describe a time when you felt a sense of grief or despair, and how did you cope with those emotions?
• How does the knowledge of Jesus’ resurrection give you hope during difficult times?
• Do you think it is possible to experience both sadness and hope at the same time? Why or why not?
• What does it mean to you that Jesus did not want to die but ultimately submitted to God’s will?
• How have you seen people resist or reject love in your life or in the world around you?
• What does it mean to you that humanity played a role in Jesus’ death?

Good Friday, a day of profound solemnity and reflection in the Christian calendar, calls for music that captures the depth of Jesus’ sacrifice and the breadth of emotions it evokes. The suggested themes and types of music for Good Friday aim to envelop the listener in the narrative of the Passion, focusing on themes of sacrifice, redemption, sorrow, and ultimately, hope. Through a blend of traditional hymns and contemporary worship songs, these selections invite us into a deeper contemplation of the Cross, the immense love of Christ, and the promise of salvation. This music serves as a guide through the journey of Good Friday, facilitating a personal and communal encounter with the sacred.

• As the Grains of Wheat by Marty Haugen
• At the Cross Love Ran Red by Chris Tomlin
• At the Cross Her Station Keeping by Jacopone da Todi & Randall Debruyn
• Behold the Cross by Bob Hurd
• Behold the Lamb of God by The St. Louis Jesuits
• Behold the Wood by Dan Schutte
• Crown Him with Many Crowns by George J. Elvey
• From the Depths We Cry to Thee by Martin Herbst & Alan G. McDougall
• Glory in the Cross by Dan Schutte
• Here I Am to Worship by Jeremy Camp
• In Christ Alone in Keith and Kristyn Getty
• Jesus Walked the Lonesome Valley
• Lord We Adore You by Christopher Walker
• O Sacred Head Surrounded by Johann Sebastian Bach & Hans Leo Hassler
• Psalm 22 – My God, My God by Ken Canedo
• Reckless Love by Bethel Music
• Unless a Grain of Wheat by Bernadette Farrell
• Were You There
• What Wondrous Love Is This by Connie Campbell Hart & Randall Debruyn

In conclusion, the music selected for Good Friday serves not only as a backdrop to the day’s observances but as a profound medium of expression and prayer. Through the themes of sacrifice, redemption, and divine love, these songs guide the faithful in a journey of reflection, penance, and ultimately, celebration of the mystery of the Cross. As we move through the solemnity of Good Friday towards the joy of Easter, let the music remind us of the enduring message of hope and the transformative power of Christ’s love, which continues to resonate in the hearts of believers around the world.

What is Good Friday?

Good Friday is a Christian holiday commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. It is observed during Holy Week as part of the Paschal Triduum on the Friday preceding Easter Sunday.

What date is Good Friday?

The next date is Friday April 18, 2025.

What are the readings for Good Friday?

The readings for Friday April 18, 2025 are:
First Reading: Isaiah 52:13-53:12: The Suffering Servant
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 31: A Prayer of Trust and Deliverance
Second Reading: Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9: The Sympathetic High Priest
Gospel: John 18:1-19:42: The Passion of Christ

Why is it called Good Friday?

Despite the sorrowful nature of Jesus’ crucifixion, the term “Good” signifies the beneficial outcome of Christ’s sacrifice—offering salvation to humanity. It reflects the ultimate display of love and redemption.

How do Catholics observe Good Friday?

On Good Friday, Catholics often attend church services that may include reading the Passion of Christ, veneration of the Cross, and Communion. They also observe a fast and abstain from meat, and practice penance to honor Jesus’ sacrifice.

Is Good Friday a public holiday?

Good Friday is a public holiday in many countries, especially in those with a Christian majority. This allows individuals to attend church services and observe the day with solemnity.

Can you eat meat on Good Friday?

Many Christians, particularly Catholics, fast and abstain from eating meat on Good Friday as a form of penance and to honor Jesus’ sacrifice. Instead, they may eat fish or vegetarian meals.

What is the significance of the Stations of the Cross on Good Friday?

The Stations of the Cross are a devotion that commemorates Jesus’ last day on Earth as a man. On Good Friday, this practice allows believers to meditate on the events leading up to and including Jesus’ crucifixion, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of His sacrifice.

How does Good Friday fit into the Easter story?

Good Friday is central to the Easter story as it marks the day of Jesus’ crucifixion, leading to His resurrection on Easter Sunday. This sequence of death and resurrection is fundamental to Christian beliefs about salvation and eternal life.

What are some traditional Good Friday prayers?

Traditional Good Friday prayers focus on themes of repentance, redemption, and gratitude for Jesus’ sacrifice. The Act of Contrition, the Stations of the Cross, and specific Good Friday intercessions are commonly recited.

Why is Good Friday important to Christians?

Good Friday is crucial for Christians as it commemorates the day Jesus willingly suffered and died as the ultimate sacrifice for sin, thus opening the way for humanity to be reconciled to God. It is a day of reflection on the depths of God’s love and mercy.

Is Good Friday a Holy Day of Obligation?

Good Friday is not a holy day of obligation, but attending the Commemoration of the Passion of Our Lord or Stations of the Cross are both common ways to observe this day.

Is Good Friday part of the Triduum?

Yes. The Easter Triduum begins with the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on the evening of Holy Thursday and concludes on the evening of Easter Sunday. So Good Friday falls in the middle of the Triduum.