Friday, April 10, 2020 –
“On this and the following day, by a most ancient tradition, the Church does not celebrate the Sacraments at all, except for Penance and the Anointing of the Sick.” (The Roman Missal, Friday of the Passion of the Lord, 1)
Good Friday, as we all know, is they day Christ died for us on the Cross. By His death and resurrection, He redeemed us! While we can all agree that 2020 has been a bit of a flub, we can delve deeper into Good Friday **because** of what we’re going through.
Today the Church offers us great “visual aids” to remind us of Christ’s Passion. From after the Mass of the Lord’s Supper (Holy Thursday) until the Easter Vigil (Holy Saturday), the Church is barren. Everything—from the altar cloths to candles, from holy water to altar cross—is removed, gone, absent. The crosses and statues remain veiled. Our tabernacles are left open and bare!
In the older liturgy for Holy Thursday, the priest returns with the deacons and altar boys to recite Psalm 21 as they strip the altar. It is solemn and extremely sobering to watch. The priest begins and ends with the same antiphon and opening line of Psalm 21:
| Diviserunt sibi vestimenta mea: et super vestem meam miserunt sortem. | They parted my garments amongst them, and upon my vesture they cast lots. |
| Deus meus, Deus meus, respice in me: quare me dereliquisti? | My God, my God, look upon me: Why hast Thou forsaken me? |
We really feel the absence of the Lord today above all days. It is painful and sorrowful, but we can hope in His triumphant return.
We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You, because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
Side note: if you are looking for a timeline of events, see below:
