First reading
Isaiah 52:13–53:12
The servant of the Lord, an expiatory Sacrifice.
Responsorial psalm
Psalm 30(31):2, 6, 12–13, 15–17, 25
R. Father, I put my life in your hands.
Second reading
Hebrews 4:14–16, 5:7–9
The Lord burdened him with the sins of all of us.
Gospel acclamation
Philippians 2:8–9
Christ became obedient for us even to death, dying on the cross. Therefore God raised him on high and gave him a name above all other names.
Gospel
John 18:1–19:42
The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ
Images from the Word
- I am he
- That man’s disciples
- I am a king
- Crucify him
- I am thirsty
Liturgical notes
For veneration of the cross, let a cross be used that is of appropriate size and beauty, and let one or other of the forms for this rite be carried out with the splendour worthy of the mystery of our salvation. Both the invitation pronounced at the unveiling of the cross and the people’s response should be made in song, and a period of respectful silence is to be observed after each act of veneration, with the celebrant standing and holding the raised cross.
—Paschale Solemnitatis, n. 68
It is significant that the rubrics refer to the Adoration of the Holy Cross. The liturgy of Good Friday found its genesis in the church after the finding of the relic of the Holy Cross. So developed the sung antiphon that we continue to use today: ‘Behold the wood of the Cross on which hung the salivation of the world.’ Originally the veneration would have been of the actual relic that had been found, rather than the later development of the crucifix: the stark reality of the bare timber recalled the reality of Christ’s crucifixion.
‘We adore your Cross, O Lord, we praise and glorify your holy Resurrection, for behold, because of the wood of a tree joy has come to the whole world.’ —adoration chant