On the Friday We Call Good, the Whole World Stands Still
By Deacon Keith Fournier
4/14/2017 (1 year ago)
Catholic Online
(https://www.catholic.org)
Today as we contemplate the Passion we also plumb the mystery and meaning of the Church. We are members of His Body. She was born from the wounded side of the Savior. He betroths her in His great self emptying on the Altar of the Cross. Through her Sacraments, Jesus, the head of the Body, continues to feed us all with the divine life we need to enter more fully into the new communion which is ours through this saving Paschal mystery. Origen wrote "Christ has flooded the universe with divine and sanctifying waves. For the thirsty he sends a spring of living water from the wound which the spear opened in His Side. From the wound in Christ's side has come forth the Church, and He has made her His Bride."

Highlights
By Deacon Keith Fournier
Catholic Online (https://www.catholic.org)
4/14/2017 (1 year ago)
Published in Lent / Easter
Keywords: Good Friday, veneration of the Cross, crucifixion, passion, Holy Cross, wood of the Cross, Deacon Keith Fournier
P>CHESAPEAKE, VA. (Catholic Online) - But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water (John 19:33)
This is the Friday we call Good. This is the day when the whole world stands still. We recall the great Sacrifice offered on the second tree on Golgotha's Hill. There, the one St. Paul calls the New Adam (1 Cor.15), in the perfect obedience of love, did for us what we could not do on our own. There, Heaven was wed to earth. There, we were freed from the power of sin and death. There, we learn the Way of Crucified Love.
The mystery of the passion and crucifixion of the Lord has birthed some of the most profound reflections in the Christian Tradition. In Churches throughout the world, during the hours of 12:00 - 3: 00 p.m., devotions such as the stations or way of the cross and reflections on the last seven words of Jesus will draw the faithful more deeply into the meaning of this self emptying of Love Incarnate on the Altar of the Cross.
Priests or deacons, in the starkly beautiful liturgy of the Lord's Passion and the Veneration of the Holy Cross, will cry out Behold the wood of the Cross on which hung the Salvation of the World to which the faithful will respond, Come, Let us Worship. Of course, worship is the only fitting response in the face of such an act of Love.
The older I get the more profound this experience becomes. We walk into a sanctuary stripped of all altar cloths, the tabernacle emptied of the consecrated Eucharist and, upon reaching the altar in silence; we lay prostrate on the floor in an act that is both a sign of surrendered love and an expression of holy fear and awe in the face of the mystery.
Each year, as I feel the cold floor through my vestments, I am drawn back to the moment in my ordination to the diaconate in Christ when I laid prostrate. I am compelled to once again give my Fiat (yes) , my totus tuus (totally yours) to the Crucified One who climbed that tree out of Love for the whole human race.
As I reflect on the mystery of this moment on this Friday we call Good, I am drawn back to some profound insights from the early fathers of the Church on the mystery we commemorate. They are based on that one line from the passion narrative with which I began one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water.
Origen wrote - Christ has flooded the universe with divine and sanctifying waves. For the thirsty he sends a spring of living water from the wound which the spear opened in His Side. From the wound in Christ's side has come forth the Church, and He has made her His Bride.
The great golden mouth Bishop of Constantinople, St. John Chrysostom in his instructions to the early Christians taught - The gospel records that when Christ was dead, but still hung on the cross, a soldier came and pierced his side with a lance and immediately there poured out water and blood. Now the water was a symbol of baptism and the blood, of the holy Eucharist. The soldier pierced the Lord's side, he breached the wall of the sacred temple, and I have found the treasure and made it my own.
There flowed from his side water and blood. Beloved, do not pass over this mystery without thought; it has yet another hidden meaning, which I will explain to you. I said that water and blood symbolized baptism and the holy Eucharist. From these two sacraments the Church is born: from baptism, the cleansing water that gives rebirth and renewal through the Holy Spirit, and from the holy Eucharist".
"Since the symbols of baptism and the Eucharist flowed from his side, it was from his side that Christ fashioned the Church, as he had fashioned Eve from the side of Adam. Moses gives a hint of this when he tells the story of the first man and makes him exclaim: "Bone from my bones and flesh from my flesh!" As God then took a rib from Adam's side to fashion a woman, so Christ has given us blood and water from his side to fashion the Church. God took the rib when Adam was in a deep sleep, and in the same way Christ gave us the blood and the water after his own death."
"Do you understand, then, how Christ has united his bride to himself and what food he gives us all to eat? By one and the same food we are both brought into being and nourished. As a woman nourishes her child with her own blood and milk, so does Christ unceasingly nourish with his own blood those to whom he himself has given life."
This insight concerning the relationship between the Church, Christ and the Cross is woven throughout the sacred tradition. The great Western Bishop, St Augustine wrote - "There it was that the gate of life was opened, from there the sacraments of the Church flow; without these one does not enter true life."
The Fathers of the last great ecumenical council, Vatican II, in their Constitution on the Church, Light to the Nations, explained "The Church grows visibly through the power of God in the world. The origin and growth of the Church are symbolized by the blood and water which flowed from the open side of the crucified Jesus."
Today as we contemplate the Passion we also plumb the mystery and meaning of the Church. We are members of His Body. She was born from the wounded side of the Savior. He betroths her in His great self emptying on the Altar of the Cross. Through her Sacraments, Jesus, the head of the Body, continues to feed us all with the divine life we need to enter more fully into the new communion which is ours through this saving Paschal mystery.
As the solemn commemoration of the Lord's Passion continues we have an extended time of intercessory prayer. We join the needs of the whole world to the sacrifice of the Lamb of God who offered Himself on that second tree to begin a new creation. We come forward to venerate His feet with our kiss. Then, we receive Him in the consecrated host from yesterday's Holy Thursday Mass. Then, silently, we leave to wait by the Tomb and ponder the Mystery of Crucified Love.
---
'Help Give every Student and Teacher FREE resources for a world-class Moral Catholic Education'
Copyright 2018 - Distributed by THE CALIFORNIA NETWORK
Pope Francis Prayer Intentions for APRIL 2018
For those who have Responsibility in Economic Matters. That economists may have the courage to reject any economy of exclusion and know how to open new paths.
More Lent & Easter
'So it is written that the Christ would suffer and on the third day rise from the dead'
Lent Event
Importance
Ash Wednesday
February 14, 2018
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Season of Lent. It takes place 46 days before Easter Sunday. It is a season of penance, reflection, and fasting... continue reading
Palm Sunday
March 25, 2018
Palm Sunday, the Sunday before Easter, commemorates Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, an event mentioned in all four canonical Gospels... continue reading
Holy Week
March 25-31, 2018
On Palm Sunday, we celebrate the first joy of the season, as we celebrate Our Lord's triumphant entrance into Jerusalem where he was welcomed by... continue reading

Lent with Pope Francis
@ $7.95Holy Thursday
March 29, 2018
Holy Thursday is the most complex and profound of all religious observances. It celebrates his last supper with the disciples, a celebration of Passover... continue reading
Good Friday
March 30, 2018
On Good Friday, each member of the Church tries to understand at what cost Christ has won our redemption. In the solemn ceremonies of Holy Week... continue reading
Easter Sunday
April 1, 2018
Easter is the principal feast of the ecclesiastical year. Leo I calls it the greatest feast, and says that Christmas is celebrated only in preparation for Easter... continue reading
Stations of the Cross
Every Friday
Stations of the Cross refers to the depiction of the final hours (or Passion) of Jesus, and the devotion commemorating the Passion... continue reading


Stations of the Cross Rosary - Out of Stock until April 2018 - On Back Order
@Fasting and Abstinence
Every Friday
For most people the easiest practice to consistently fulfill will be the traditional one, to abstain from meat on all Fridays of the year. During Lent abstinence from meat on Fridays is obligatory in the... continue reading
What did you give up for Lent?
All of Lent
From the humorous to the bizarre, people have had interesting Lenten experiences. Tell us about what you are going to give up for this Lenten Year... continue reading
Ascension of Our Lord
Thursday, May 10, 2018
The Ascension of Our Lord, a Holy Day of Obligation, celebrates the day that Christ, in the presence of His apostles, ascended bodily into Heaven. The Ascension occurred on the 40th day of Easter, a Thursday... continue reading
Pentecost
Sunday, May 20, 2018
Pentecost Sunday is one of the most ancient feasts of the Church, celebrated early enough to be mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles (20:16) and Corinthians (16:8)... continue reading
Everything answered from when does lent end, ashes, giving something up, stations of the cross and blessed palms. The key to understanding the meaning of Lent is simple... continue reading
Mardi Gras
Tuesday, February 13, 2018
In France, the people feasted on foods that would be given up during the forty days of Lent. Meats, eggs, and milk were finished off in one day, giving the holiday its French title of 'Mardi Gras' which means Fat Tuesday... continue reading
The Resurrection of Jesus is the crowning truth of our faith in Christ, a faith believed and lived as the central truth by the first Christian community... continue reading
He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said. - Matthew 28:6. Learn more about the Post-Resurrection Appearances of Jesus Christ... continue reading
Catholic Online Shopping offers a variety of Easter gifts & Easter treats for all ages! Choose a gift for someone special and celebrate the joy of Easter... continue reading
Easter / Lent News
From crucifixion to resurrection Watch

Christ is risen! Truly, he is risen! Jesus Christ has conquered sin and death. We know that God has the final word. And that word is love. ... continue reading
The Truth about Easter and Divine Mercy Sunday

Though it started out from a revelation that was made by Jesus to Saint Faustina, it is now an official feast in the Catholic Church. ... continue reading
God's Announcement: A surprise that moves your heart Watch

On Easter morning Pope Francis said God's announcement to his people always comes as a surprise, like the shock of the disciples who found ... continue reading
Jesus' death provides HOPE: Pope Francis' Easter message Watch

During his Urbi et Orbi Easter blessing, Pope Francis said Jesus' death and resurrection provide hope to a world marred by conflict, ... continue reading
The surprising origins of the Easter Bunny -- it's not what you think! Watch

The Easter Bunny is a symbol of Easter that is popular in western culture, especially with children. According to folklore, the Easter ... continue reading
Latest
by Catholic Online
- Every Earth Day, Remember Our Place in Creation HD Video
- The Christian Duty: A mission of leading others to Jesus
- Daily Readings for Tuesday, April 24, 2018
- Pope Francis tells priests to 'Be like Jesus the Good Shepherd'
- St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen: Saint of the Day for Tuesday, April 24, 2018
- Earth Day 2018: We are stewards of Creation, and we must act like it
- Two Leaves Tea at Catholic Online Shopping HD Video
Latest Videos
on YouTube

Daily Readings
Daily Reading for Monday April 23, 2018
Reading 1, Acts 11:1-18
Psalm, Psalms 42:2-3; 43:3, 4
Gospel, John 10:1-10
Saint of the Day

St. George
April 23: It is uncertain when Saint George was born and ... Read More
Information
Learn about Catholic world
Catholic Online
Inform - Inspire - Ignite
Catholic Online Saints
Your saints explained
Catholic Online Prayers
Prayers for every need
Catholic Online Bible
Complete bible online
Catholic Online News
Your news Catholic eye
Daily Reading
Today's bible reading
Lent / Easter
Death & resurrection of Jesus
Advent / Christmas
Birth of Jesus
Rest of Catholic Online
All Catholic world we offer
Services
Products and services we offer
Catholic Online Shopping
Catholic medals, gifts & books
The California Network
Inspiring streaming service
Advertise on Catholic Online
Your ads on catholic.org
Catholic Online Email
Email with Catholic feel
Catholic Online Singles
Safe, secure Catholic dating
The California Studios
World-class post production service
Education
Learn the Catholic way
Catholic Online School
Free Catholic education for all
Student Classes
K-12 & Adult Education Classes
School Teachers
Teacher lesson plans & resources
Support Free Education
Tax deductible support Free education
Socials
Connect with us online
Catholic Online on Facebook
Catholic social network
Catholic Online on Twitter
Catholic Tweets
Catholic Online on YouTube
Enjoy our videos
Catholic Online on Instagram
Shared Catholic moments
Catholic Online on Pinterest
Catholic ideas style inspiration