Father Chas Canoy
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A powerful Good Friday reflection on the meaning of the cross, suffering, and the true nature of glory. Discover how Jesus’ crucifixion reveals the fullness of God’s love and invites us to bring our burdens to Him.
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This Easter Triduum, we are walking through the story of Holy Week in a powerful and visible way. The artwork before us depicts exactly what we are living out this week—from Holy Thursday to Good Friday and ultimately to Easter.
On the left, we see Holy Thursday: the institution of the Eucharist and the washing of the feet. These moments remind us of Christ’s gift of Himself and His call to serve.
From there, we move into the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus begins His agony. He looks toward the cross and prays, “Not my will, but your will be done.” The hour has begun.
Soon after, Judas betrays Him. Jesus is arrested, taken into custody, and spends the night abandoned and alone.
Then comes Good Friday.
We follow Jesus along the Via Dolorosa—the Way of Suffering. He is scourged, crowned with thorns, condemned by Pilate, and led to Golgotha where He is crucified.
What stands out most in this moment is the striking contrast between humiliation and glory.
When we think of glory, we think of honor, praise, victory, and beauty. But Jesus reveals something radically different:
His glory is found in the cross.
The prophet Isaiah foretold this in the image of the suffering servant:
“He was pierced for our offenses, crushed for our sins… by His wounds we are healed.”
And yet, the same passage begins by saying:
“My servant shall be raised high and greatly exalted.”
How can both be true?
Jesus Himself tells us:
“The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.”
That hour is His Passion.
The only way this makes sense is if we understand who God is.
God is love.
Not just loving—but Love itself. An eternal exchange of love: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
And love, by its very nature, reaches outward. It gives. It sacrifices. It seeks the good of the other—no matter the cost.
Jesus is the perfect expression of that love.
And we—humanity—are the beloved, created to receive that love and share in it.
But we strayed. Like sheep, we went our own way.
Yet God did not abandon us.
Because He is love, Jesus came on a rescue mission.
And that rescue is accomplished on the cross.
So why is the cross glory?
Because it is the greatest possible expression of love.
Jesus is most fully who He is on the cross.
It may not look glorious in the worldly sense—but it is the truest form of glory.
As we enter into the veneration of the cross, we are invited to respond personally.
We cannot escape suffering. Every one of us carries pain—confusion, grief, anger, doubt.
But Jesus does not abandon us in it.
His answer is Himself.
With arms stretched wide on the cross, He says:
“See how much I love you.”
So come to Him.
Bring everything you carry—every burden, every question, every wound.
Lay it at the foot of the cross.
Nothing is too heavy. Nothing is too small.
And when you do, look at Him.
Hear Him say:
“My child, come to me.”
Remain with Him. Let His love fill your heart.
This is the mystery of Good Friday.
Amen.