Homily - Good Friday, April 2, 2010
Abbot Caedmon Holmes, O.S.B
GOOD Friday: in the other languages this day is called "Holy Friday"; the English language alone expresses the insight that---no matter how things look---what we are reliving in the liturgy this afternoon is the greatest of all goods, indeed the fountain and source of all good.
Just now we heard the Passion narrative, the account of Christ's stupendous labor, the victory of his love. An Italian saint of some centuries ago, while meditating on the sufferings of Christ, heard him say to her, "My love for you was no hoax." In a little while we will move into the second of the three parts of today's service, and bring the Cross into this assembly, and pay homage to it as the instrument of our salvation.
After that comes the third and final part, when we will say together the Lord's Prayer, and receive Holy Communion, and that will end our service.
But first, before closing the Liturgy of the Word and moving to the second part, we are going to present petitions to the Father.
Precisely because we Christians are IN Christ, and because he has won the victory for us in the dreadful battle, and has been raised from the dead and taken his seat forever at the Father's right hand (which means that he is right now in the closest intimacy with the Father, who will never forget what Jesus did out of love for Him and for us on that original Good Friday 2000 years ago, and who cares for nothing but listening to Jesus' prayers and answering them)---because WE are IN Christ, and,
when he looks at us, what the Father sees is his own beloved Son,
when he hears us, the Father is hearing him,
we now are going to take the fullest advantage of our privileged position
by praying to our Father on behalf of all who belong to His dear Church,
also on behalf of His chosen people, the Jews,
on behalf of those who do not believe in Christ (that would certainly include Muslims),
on behalf of those who do not believe in God,
on behalf of those who serve in public office,
and on behalf of all who are in any difficulty, suffering, or discouragement.
BECAUSE we are in Christ, we make these prayers with the greatest trust, and are fully confident that we ARE heard and favorably answered by the Father, who loves us in his beloved Son.
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