Good Friday Liturgy of the Passion of the Lord
Cathedral of the Risen Christ
April 15, 2022
Homily by Father Joseph Bernardo
It is 3 o’clock on a Friday afternoon…what are you doing here? Some of you probably took off work, maybe some of the kids got off of school early…why did you come here this afternoon? Whom are you looking for? This was the question our Lord asked twice at the very beginning of today’s Passion reading, “Whom are you looking for?” and He asks us this very question today.
Maybe you come here like the centurion at the foot of the Cross, here by duty, but also a Roman, a gentile, a non-believer, here seeking for a God to bring order to his life. I think about those who are preparing to join the Church at the Easter Vigil, they are here seeking for God. Maybe you are here looking for someone who can bring you deeper faith, an understanding of your life, its meaning and purpose.
Maybe you come here like Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, both believers of our Lord but secret ones who are ashamed to let others know and come to Him in the middle of the night. Maybe you are here ashamed to let others know of your faith, to make the Sign of the Cross in public, to let others know what the Lord has done in your life, to say “God bless you.” Maybe you are here looking for someone who can give you courage and strength to stand up for what and Who you believe in.
Maybe you come here like the good thief, who hangs beside the Lord, he knows he is guilty of his crime, of his sin and he asks the Lord, “remember me when You come into your kingdom.” Maybe you are here because you are aware of your sinful habits, your weaknesses and failures. You know you are deserving of the punishment of your sins for everyone one of our sins have to be atoned for, and you are looking for someone who can offer you mercy.
Maybe you come here like the women of Jerusalem crying and distressed about what is going on and they approach Jesus in tears seeking consolation. Maybe you are here because in the difficulties of your life, the pain and struggle, feeling overwhelmed and you come looking for someone who will console you, someone to let you know that it is going to be okay, that this hardship of your life will not go on forever.
Maybe you come here like John the Apostle, the faithful one, the beloved, who comes to just be with the Lord in His hour of death. Maybe you are here because you are looking for the One you love, the One you believe in, the One you trust. You want to be with your Beloved, your All.
How beautiful that our hearts have brought us here to the foot of the Cross this Good Friday, alongside these very persons who were there at that first Good Friday. Here to the same Cross that the centurion received faith as he said, “truly this was the Son of God.” To the Cross that Joseph and Nicodemus received the courage and strength and were given the Body of Jesus. To the Cross that the good thief received mercy as Jesus says to him, “today you will be with Me in paradise.” To the Cross that the women of Jerusalem received consolation by the loving gaze of Jesus. To the Cross that John received loving Mother Mary.
We have come here this Friday afternoon because our hearts have brought us here to the foot of this same Cross, where we can find faith, courage and strength, mercy, consolation and our Dear Mother.
“Whom are you looking for?” As you venerate the Cross in a short while, see on this Cross the One you are looking for!
We adore You O Christ and we praise You, because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world!
