Good FridAY... A Meditation

by Brother Kenneth Hogan

Of course, it’s all about Jesus.  On Good Friday when the Passion and Death of Jesus confront me as on no other day, can I, for a few moments, keep the focus on Jesus? Can I take a few deep breaths? Can I slow  down?  Can I rest in the image I have of Jesus on the cross on Good Friday? Can I simply be still? Can I just be with Him? Can I simply look at Him?

I need to say nothing; let Him speak and touch my heart.  I don’t even have to pray. I just need to be present…to Him. Jesus is there, on the cross and I simply need to behold Him as did His mother, His disciple, and the other holy women. I want to be present to the sorrow, the heartbreak, the emptiness. Just be in the silence…listen in the silence.

Then I can look at his words, his last words; say them if I need to. What is happening?   What touches me in the depths of who I am? What stirs within me?

Click on each set of words for the scripture reference...Look at each set of words. Don’t say them, don’t say anything. Just look.  Breathe in… breathe out, Do it again… simply, breathe in… breathe out… again and… again.

“Forgive them… "

“Today you will be with me in paradise…"

“Behold your son… Behold your mother...."

“My God… why have you forsaken me? ..."

“I thirst...." 

“It is Finished..."

“Father… I commend my spirit."
​
Silence… Stillness… Alone… with Him… Is this the end?

Brother Kenneth Hogan is currently a part of the formation team at the Marist Brothers Novitiate at Marist College in Pougkeepsie, NY

Want to go deeper with this reflection? Check out our Going Deeper page.

---