It is 25th March 2016 and it is Good Friday. The readings are from Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Hebrews 4:14-16, 5:7-9; and the Gospel from John 18:1-19:42. The first reading presents the suffering Servant of Yahweh. Through His enormous sacrifice, He cleanse us one more time (Heb.10:14). God went to the extent of showing God’s love by taking up all that is burdensome. “Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him and afflicted. But He was pierced for our sins, he was crushed for our iniquities…. By His bruises we are healed.” (Is. 53:4, 5). We read in the Catechism No.92, “It is love to the end that confers on Christ’s sacrifice its value as redemption and reparation, as atonement and satisfaction. He knew and loved us all when he offered his life. The responsorial Psalm submits saying, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” (Lk.23:46). In the second reading, St. Paul convincingly tells us, “Jesus became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him.” (Heb.5:9). The Gospel recalls the Passion and death of Christ. We are not expected merely to sympathize at Jesus rather we are expected to walk with the Lord through the sufferings we face carrying our own crosses daily. “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself /herself, take up his/her cross, and follow me.” (Matthew 16: 24). We must be bold enough to proclaim the words of St. Francis of Assisi, whenever we visit a church with the crucifix saying, “We adore you, Lord Jesus Christ, here, and in all your churches throughout the world, and we bless you, for by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.” May the Lord give you peace. Have a day full of blessings