Posted on 04/03/2015 4:24:27 AM PDT by NYer
Any visitor to a Roman Catholic church today will undoubtedly notice the starkness of the place. After the Mass of the Lords Supper on Holy Thursday, the church was stripped of various signs of life so as to prepare for the continuation of the Sacred Triduum. All the usual pomp found in Catholic churches candles, statues, icons, and various other adornments have been either removed or veiled. On this day, Good Friday, the Latin Church prepares to celebrate her second liturgy of this single Triduum: the Liturgy of the Presanctified. In these holy rites, we will mystically share in and bear witness to a love that destroyed death.
This liturgy of Good Friday begins with one of the most ancient practices of the Roman tradition: the prostration. At three oclock in the afternoon, the time Christ died, the priests, deacons and ministers approach the altar in absolute silence. St. Ignatius of Antioch, a saint from whom we have already heard in the meditation for Holy Thursday, tells us that the mysteries of God were wrought in silence. In our age, silence is almost impossible to find as we are constantly bombarded by noise. Yet, it is in the silence of God that we hear His still, small voice (1 Kings 19:12). Thus upon reaching the altar, the clergy lay prostrate for several moments while the faithful kneel. All pray. In silence they arise and ascend into the sanctuary, their red vestments flowing as they move. Red is the norm for todays liturgical color because it evokes the Precious Blood shed today for our redemption.
The first reading of todays liturgy comes from Isaiah, in which the Prophet proclaims that the Messiah must suffer and even die (Isa. 52:13-53:12). What a mystery! the great savior of Gods people would bear our sins and, by His stripes, we will be healed. In the Responsorial Psalm, we ourselves cry out the last words of our Lord: Father, into your hands I commend my spirit (Ps. 31). The Letter to the Hebrews then teaches us why He cried this with His last breaths (Heb. 4:14-16; 5:7-9): He was our High Priest, whose sacrifice was acceptable in the eyes of God the Father. Finally, the Holy Gospel is opened and we, along with the priest and the readers, proclaim the account of the Passion of the Christ according to St. John. Many wonder why we, the people, read the words of the crowd saying, Crucify Him! Mother Church teaches us that we are all responsible for Christs Passion, and, with each mortal sin we commit, we crucify Him again in our hearts. As the Prophet Nathan rebuked King David, so too does the Word of God cry out to us: You are the man! (2 Sam. 12:7). Still, we must not submit to despair, for God provides for both sinners and saints (Mt. 5:45).
Therefore we begin the General Intercessions, which since Christian antiquity are special for this day. The Church of Rome spreads forth her hands to Heaven and prays for all souls throughout the world. According the rhythms of kneeling and standing, we beseech Gods grace to fall like the summer rains over the Church, the Pope, all the faithful, catechumens, non-Catholic Christians, Jews, those who do not believe in Christ, those who do not believe in God, those in public office, and finally those in special need. With the fasting and abstinence we observe today, our supplications arise beyond the stars as sweet incense. As we unite our mortifications and petitions with Christs Sacrifice, the sacred ministers disappear into the sacristy and emerge with a large, veiled image. Our eyes are drawn up to this Divine secret as one arm of a cross is revealed, and we hear the celebrant proclaim: Behold the wood of the cross on which hung the salvation of the world. The third part of the Liturgy of the Presanctified has begun: the Veneration of the Holy Cross.
Passion ping!
Thanks for posting. Easter is a glorious day for sure but we would not have it without His sacrifice, His suffering. We all have crosses to carry in our life whether we look at them as crosses or not. Some are little and some are big. Our society leans more and more to deny suffering when it can have a purpose. I know of many close and not so close who are suffering and dealing with life and death issues. Absolutely everything we have comes from God. Every dollar and blessing and every bit of suffering. Offering that suffering up for Him who suffered more than any of us could, and offering it up out of love and thanksgiving for His sacrifice is a constant goal. Extra prayers today my Freeper brothers and sisters for all of you who may be suffering, physical or emotional. Forgive me my little sermon this morning. It’s a big day, a very big day.
Lamb of God!
That phrase, repeated four times in the Mass, brought Scott Hahn to the Catholic Church.
PLEASE DON'T FORGET, CATHOLIC BRETHREN, TODAY BEGINS THE NOVENA OF THE DIVINE MERCY! Soon our tears will be turned to joy!
A beautiful and prayerful Triduum to you, my friend, and thank you for your posts! God bless you!
Thank you! No "sermon" to forgive: that was a beautiful and edifying post! It is a big day today. May it bring you ever closer to God, may He bless you, and give you peace!
There can be no Resurrection without Calvary.
Thank you for posting this.. God Bless.
Cuban Catholics Mark Holy Week's End With Religious Processions
This Most Silent Day
Cuban government makes Good Friday official holiday
THE SEVEN LAST WORDS OF JESUS CHRIST FROM THE CROSS (in English and Latin) [Catholic Caucus]
Cuba Makes Good Friday an Official Holiday
7 clues tell us *precisely* when Jesus died (the year, month, day, and hour revealed)
Pilate: What is truth? in "The Passion of the Christ"
Vatican: Passion of Our Lord Sermon ["Justified as a Gift through Faith in the Blood of Christ"]
Pope recognises martyrs who died at the hands of communist and fascist regimes
Good Friday Homily (2012) Preacher to Benedict XVI ["His Was The Fight, Ours The Crown"]
Golgatha: The Word Symbolizes A Beautiful Reality!
Meditating on Good Friday with St. Francis de Sales
Crucifixion: History, Archaeology (with photos!), and Why Jesus Died This Way
THE SEVEN WORDS FROM THE CROSS [Good Friday Must-Read by Bishop Fulton J. Sheen]
Following the Truth: No Greater Love
[Catholic and Open]
Following the Truth: Dont Just Feel Sorry For Jesus
[Catholic and Open]
Good Friday homily of Fr Raniero Cantalamessa (at the Vatican)
Good Friday - The Reproaches - Veneration of the Cross
Crucifixion: Ancient descriptions, archaeology (with photos!), and why Jesus died this way
Crown of Thorns Galaxy - a Good Friday Reflection
Good Friday 2012
Preparing for the Good Friday Liturgy [Catholic/Orthodox Caucus]
A Fiery Sermon (Good Friday Sermon at Vatican and NYT interpretation)
Today, On Good Friday, Here's Why I Remain Catholic
The Death of Jesus, An essay by Alphonsus Liguori
Good Friday Stations of the Cross at the Englewood, NJ Abortion Mill, Friday, April 2, 2010
Good Friday
The Sacred Triduum: Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter. The Mystery of Faith
Catholic Word of the Day: GOOD FRIDAY, 05-29-09
Pope warns of 'a desert of godlessness' in Good Friday address
This Friday Makes the Whole World Good
Why we call it 'Good' Friday
Good Friday
What Is Not True About the Good Friday Prayer for Jews (Errors in Understanding)
(Cardinal Murphy-O'Conner) Today Is the Feast Day for Those Who Suffer
Reflection: Why This Friday is So Good
The Seven Last Words of Christ
The Holiday Hallmark Can't Handle
Good Friday Reproaches
Online Exclusive: Good Friday: A good day for faith, family and food
GOOD FRIDAY HOMILY 2002 PREACHED BY FATHER ALTIER.
Prostration and Vestments on Good Friday And More on the Precious Blood
Reflections for Good Friday: The Crucifixion and Death of Our Lord
Last Seven Words of Christ Are Full of "Spirit and Life"
Divine Mercy Novena Begins on Good Friday
The Drawing of Christ on the Cross [Images]"
Good Friday
The Three Crosses: The Bad Thief or the Cross Rejected
The Three Crosses: The Good Thief or the Cross Accepted
GOOD FRIDAY PRAYERS TO END ABORTION
What did the cross accomplish? As we look at the suffering ..physical and spiritual it must have had a purpose ....What was it?
Thank you, Blessings to you as well.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.