1It was the day of preparation for the Passover.

 

1It was the day of preparation for the Passover. The Jews wanted to prevent the bodies from remaining on the cross during the Sabbath, because that Sabbath was a solemn feast day. Then they asked Pilate to have the legs of those crucified broken and to take them off the cross. 32The soldiers went and broke the legs of one and then of the other, who were crucified with Jesus. 33When they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs; 34but a soldier opened his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. 35He who saw it testifies, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he speaks the truth, so that you also may believe. 36This happened so that the Scripture might be fulfilled, which says, “They shall not break any of his bones.” 37And another Scripture says: “They will look at the one they pierced.” 38After this, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus - but secretly, for fear of the Jews - asked Pilate to take away Jesus' body. Pilate consented. Then Joseph came to take away Jesus' body. 39Nicodemus also arrived, the same man who had previously gone to meet Jesus at night. It took about thirty kilos of perfume, made from myrrh and aloe. 40Then they took the body of Jesus and wrapped it, with the spices, in linen cloths, as the Jews usually bury it. 41In the place where Jesus was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden there was a new tomb, where no one had yet been buried. 42Because of the preparation of the Passover and because the tomb was close, that is where they placed Jesus. – Word of salvation.

Reflection: The long account of Jesus' passion, according to John, is very detailed. The author describes, in detail, the process of trial, condemnation and death of Jesus. Easter of the Cross, as Good Friday can be called, expresses sadness and mourning, as the bride-community temporarily loses its groom. The righteous are judged and condemned by the forces of evil. The cross, an instrument of torture, demonstrates human cruelty inclined to sin. By participating in this ritual, the community expresses its rejection of injustice and shows solidarity with those who are wronged in today's world. On the other hand, the celebration of Good Friday shows that Easter was possible through the cross. Thus, the cross, an instrument of torture, becomes a sign of victory over death. Saint Cyril of Alexandria said that Jesus “gave his soul into the hands of the Father, so that in it and through her we may attain luminous hope, feeling and firmly believing that, after having endured death in the flesh, we will be in the hands of God, in a infinitely better state of life than the one we have while living in the flesh.”

1It was the day of preparation for the Passover. The Jews wanted to prevent the bodies from remaining on the cross during the Sabbath, because that Sabbath was a solemn feast day. Then they asked Pilate to have the legs of those crucified broken and to take them off the cross. 32The soldiers went and broke the legs of one and then of the other, who were crucified with Jesus. 33When they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs; 34but a soldier opened his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. 35He who saw it testifies, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he speaks the truth, so that you also may believe. 36This happened so that the Scripture might be fulfilled, which says, “They shall not break any of his bones.” 37And another Scripture says: “They will look at the one they pierced.” 38After this, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus - but secretly, for fear of the Jews - asked Pilate to take away Jesus' body. Pilate consented. Then Joseph came to take away Jesus' body. 39Nicodemus also arrived, the same man who had previously gone to meet Jesus at night. It took about thirty kilos of perfume, made from myrrh and aloe. 40Then they took the body of Jesus and wrapped it, with the spices, in linen cloths, as the Jews usually bury it. 41In the place where Jesus was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden there was a new tomb, where no one had yet been buried. 42Because of the preparation of the Passover and because the tomb was close, that is where they placed Jesus. – Word of salvation. Reflection: The long account of Jesus' passion, according to John, is very detailed. The author describes, in detail, the process of trial, condemnation and death of Jesus. Easter of the Cross, as Good Friday can be called, expresses sadness and mourning, as the bride-community temporarily loses its groom. The righteous are judged and condemned by the forces of evil. The cross, an instrument of torture, demonstrates human cruelty inclined to sin. By participating in this ritual, the community expresses its rejection of injustice and shows solidarity with those who are wronged in today's world. On the other hand, the celebration of Good Friday shows that Easter was possible through the cross. Thus, the cross, an instrument of torture, becomes a sign of victory over death. Saint Cyril of Alexandria said that Jesus “gave his soul into the hands of the Father, so that in it and through her we may attain luminous hope, feeling and firmly believing that, after having endured death in the flesh, we will be in the hands of God, in a infinitely better state of life than the one we have while living in the flesh.”