What Is It? Good Friday of the Lord's Passion: Explained

The first and second readings, from Isaiah and Paul's letter to the Hebrews, describe the mystery of the cross—the Paschal Mystery—suffering turned into victory. The gospel is the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ. The word passion can also mean strong feelings of love. Jesus' passion is the time from the Last Supper to his death on the cross, during which he shows his great love for us. 

 Jesus warned Peter that he would deny him. When that happened Jesus looked at him, probably with pity and certainly with love. God's love and mercy cannot save us from our own folly and its consequences: after all, Peter had to live with his denial of Jesus. That is why he wept. 

 The veneration of the cross is a time when a large cross is brought forward. We touch or kiss the cross to show our love and thankfulness for God's love.

 If you stood at the cross on which Jesus hung, what would you say to him? How does it feel to touch or kiss the cross? What does this mean to you?