A meditation for Good Friday

When Jesus had received the vinegar, he said, "It is finished"; and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

"He died for everyone. He awaits all of us in heaven." The Curé of Ars

The death of Jesus opens up the way for us not just to know God, which we cannot do of ourselves, but to be intimately united with him, which we cannot even conceive of without Jesus. This invitation is extended to every single person on the planet, but each must respond for themselves. It is above all by praying that we allow God to draw us into union with himself. This union is itself a kind of daily death to ourselves: our plans, our limitations, our own ego, since God is always greater than our heart.

"What a marvellous thing is this union of God with his little creature! In this intimate union God and the soul are like two pieces of wax melted together. I often think that I would really like to be able to lose myself and only find myself again in God. We must always have God in our sight, Jesus Christ in our daily life, and ourselves in sacrifice." The Curé of Ars

 
PRAYER

Jesus, in your saving death you break down the wall of division separating us from your Father by sin. Move us by your Holy Spirit to take full advantage of this priceless gift and grow every day closer to you, until we are completely united with the Most Holy Trinity in the glory of heaven, you who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.

Our Father…

Let me share with thee His pain,

Who for all our sins was slain,

Who for me in torments died.

Tui Nati vulnerati,

Tam dignati pro me pati,

Poenas mecum divide.



Text from The Stations of the Cross with the Curé of Ars by Mgr Keith Barltrop and published by ST PAULS.

Illustration from the same book - one of the set of Stations of the Cross in St Silas Church, Kentish Town, London. Photograph © John Salmon.