Good Friday March 25, 2005 Scripture: Isaiah 52:43-53:12; Hebrews 4:14-16, 5:7-9; John 18:1-19:42 Reflection: God created the world and saw everything was good. But, human beings sinned, wars and divisions became a routine part of the course of human events. “In the fullness of time” God sent a Savior to set things straight and to restore unity to creation. He came that we might live. He was condemned, raised high, crowned with thorns, pierced for our offenses that he might die for us. Many were frightened/ashamed of Christ’s death but as we say in daily celebration of Mass, it was a death he “fully accepted.” Without God we have nothing and with him everything’s possible. Suggested Action: Let us live a life as Jesus, compassionate high priest, taught us: a life of dedicated service, a life of obedience to his Father’s will, a life of redemption and acceptance of sacrifice. In the words of Cardinal John Neumann, “Teach me Lord to profit by the suffering that comes across my path; let me use it that it may mellow me, not harden nor embitter me, that it may make me patient, not irritable, that it may make me broad in my forgiveness, not narrow, haughty or overbearing. May no one be less good for having come within my influence; no one less pure, less true, less kind, less noble for having been a fellow traveler in my journey toward eternal life.” “Dear Jesus, help me to spread your fragrance everywhere. Flood my soul with your spirit and life. Penetrate and possess my whole being so completely that my life may be only a radiance of yours.” Sr. Mary Talbot Keliher, IHM Scranton, Pennsylvania