With this Good Friday liturgy we continue our celebration of the Three Days of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Though we devoutly gather to recall our Lord’s passion, we celebrate the wonder and mystery of the cross in the sure hope of the resurrection.

At the heart of the liturgy is the passion reading according to Saint John. John proclaims Jesus as a triumphant king who reigns from the cross. The gospel enables us to call this Friday “Good,” for it celebrates the victory of the cross. Jesus’ final words are not ones of desolation, but triumph: “It is finished.”

As Jesus is lifted up from the earth, he draws all people to himself. On this solemn day we use the ancient Bidding Prayer, offering petitions for the whole world for which Christ died