Good Friday

The Pieta by El Greco

Ironically, this year Good Friday, which commemorates the day Jesus died for our sins, falls on the same day we traditionally celebrate the moment Jesus' life began - in the womb of his mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary, at the Annunciation. According to the 2005 Church Calendar, the Feast of the Annunciation will be commemorated this year on April 4 rather than on its traditional date.

I mention this, and I include the picture of El Greco's Pieta at the top of this post, in order to re-emphasize, as Mel Gibson did so magnificently in his movie The Passion of the Christ, the role of Our Blessed Lady as the first and last disciple of her son. She was there with Him at the beginning; and she was there with Him at the end. She was there when He began His ministry at Cana; and she was there when the Apostles began their ministry at Pentecost.

We must especially remember that Our Lady also suffered along with her son, as only a mother can suffer [yet also in a unique way], as He died an excruciating and undeserved death on the Cross. We are somewhat reminded of that suffering as we watch the parents of Terri Schiavo suffer along with their daughter as she dies an excruciatingly horrible death by dehydration and starvation.

I don't yet understand what lesson God has for us from what Terri is unjustly going through. But we do know that her suffering is not in vain. It is joined with Christ's redemptive suffering on the Cross for our salvation.

"Stabat Mater"

At the cross her station keeping,
Mary stood in sorrow weeping
When her Son was crucified.

While she waited in her anguish,
Seeing Christ in torment languish,
Bitter sorrow pierced her heart.

With what pain and desolation,
With what noble resignation,
Mary watched her dying Son.

Ever-patient in her yearning
Though her tear-filled eyes were burning,
Mary gazed upon her Son.

Who, that sorrow contemplating,
On that passion meditating,
Would not share the Virgin's grief?

Christ she saw, for our salvation,
Scourged with cruel acclamation,
Bruised and beaten by the rod.

Christ she saw with life-blood failing,
All her anguish unavailing,
Saw him breathe his very last.

Mary, fount of love's devotion,
Let me share with true emotion
All the sorrow you endured.

Virgin, ever interceding,
Hear me in my fervent pleading:
Fire me with your love of Christ.

Mother, may this prayer be granted:
That Christ's love may be implanted
In the depths of my poor soul.

At the cross, your sorrow sharing,
All your grief and torment bearing,
Let me stand and mourn with you.

Fairest maid of all creation,
Queen of hope and consolation,
Let me feel your grief sublime.

Virgin, in your love befriend me,
At the Judgment Day defend me.
Help me by your constant prayer.

Savior, when my life shall leave me,
Through your mother's prayers receive me
With the fruits of victory.

Virgin of all virgins blest!
Listen to my fond request:
Let me share your grief divine

Let me, to my latest breath,
In my body bear the death
Of your dying Son divine.

Wounded with His every wound,
Steep my soul till it has swooned
In His very Blood away.

Be to me, O Virgin, nigh,
Lest in flames I burn and die,
In His awe-full judgment day.

Savior, when my life shall leave me,
Through your mother's prayers receive me
With the fruits of victory.

While my body here decays
May my soul your goodness praise,
Safe in heaven eternally. Amen Alleluia.

The Collegeville Hymnal
Minnesota: Liturgical Press, 1990.