Good Friday: Easter Triduum

Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala.
When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.”
Then he said to the disciple,
“Behold, your mother.”
And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.

After this, aware that everything was now finished, 
in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled, 
Jesus said, “I thirst.”
There was a vessel filled with common wine.
So they put a sponge soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop and put it up to his mouth.
When Jesus had taken the wine, he said,
“It is finished.”
And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit.

John 19:25-30

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses,  but one who has similarly been tested in every way,
yet without sin.
So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy 

and to find grace for timely help.

Hebrews 4:15-16

The Rosary reminds the Catholic community and each of us of Mary’s role in Salvation History, and the gift she is as intercessor and example. The fifteen Mysteries of the Rosary are meditations upon the sufferings, the joys, and the glories in Christ’s life and in the lives of those who, like Mary, are close to him. The repetition of “Hail Marys” is in fact a beautiful example of contemplative prayer, which has been getting considerable attention in spiritual writing for the last several years.

In the Love of Jesus,

Father Lenny Zamborsky
October 10, 1999

For Reflection:

I have often tried to place myself at the foot of the Cross, contemplating the faithfulness of John and the three Marys, and feeling awestruck that, moments before his death, Jesus was still reaching out in love to them. He not only gave his beloved mother into John’s care, Jesus has made Mary, Mother of God, loving Mother to all of us. Mercy and grace are poured out from the Cross upon us. Mary leads me gently through her Son’s thirty-three year journey on Earth, drawing me closer into the Paschal Mystery and ever nearer to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.