Good Friday | Friday 15 April 2022

Today is Good Friday, the 15th of April.
Ex Cathedra, directed by Jeffrey Skidmore, sing Versa est in luctum by Alonso Lobo. Versa est in luctum: My harp is tuned for sorrow. ‘Tuning your harp for sorrow’ is a conscious, deliberate preparation for sadness to come. As you prepare to hear today’s account of the Crucifixion, let this music help and guide you…
Versa est in luctum cithara mea,
et organum meum in vocem flentium.
Parce mihi Domine,
nihil enim sunt dies mei.
My harp is turned to grieving
and my flute to the voice of those who weep.
Spare me, O Lord,
for my days are as nothing.


Today's reading is from the Gospel of John.
John 19:16-30
‘So they took Jesus; and carrying the cross by himself, he went out to what is called The Place of the Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, with Jesus between them. Pilate also had an inscription written and put on the cross. It read, ‘Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.’ Many of the Jews read this inscription, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek. Then the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, ‘Do not write, “The King of the Jews”, but, “This man said, I am King of the Jews.” ’ Pilate answered, ‘What I have written I have written.’ When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four parts, one for each soldier. They also took his tunic; now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from the top. So they said to one another, ‘Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see who will get it.’ This was to fulfil what the scripture says, ‘They divided my clothes among themselves, and for my clothing they cast lots.’ And that is what the soldiers did.
Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, here is your son.’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home.
After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfil the scripture), ‘I am thirsty.’ A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the wine, he said, ‘It is finished.’ Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.’

The inscription on the Cross is in the dominant languages of the Roman Empire. The crucified Jesus is King of all times and places, yet he hangs naked on the Cross alongside all who suffer. John emphasises the fulfilling of Scripture. This is God’s saving power at work, promised long ago. Are you aware of your feelings as you watch Jesus die?
Jesus’ disciples and his mother witness his death. From the Cross he creates a new family in which you are included. ‘Here is your son or daughter’. ‘Here is your mother’. How does it feel to be handed over by Jesus into Mary’s care? What might taking her into your home mean for you? Can you speak to her?

The images in this passage are powerful and devastating. As we listen to the reading a second time, what strikes and stays with you? What do you want to do in response?
This is the defining moment of Jesus’ life on earth. It’s the moment when he gives most powerful witness to God’s unshakeable love for us all. It may be that you have no words with which to respond – maybe you can only stand watching in silence. But our silence speaks to God as much as our words.


We adore you O Christ and we bless you
because by your Holy Cross, you have redeemed the world.