EMN
Dimapur, April 4
Good Friday is the Christian commemoration of Jesus' Passion story: specifically the betrayal, trial and crucifixion as described in the gospels. Good Friday service in the Cathedral Church was celebrated in two phases. First there was the way of the Cross, along the 14 stations of the Cross and prayed in various languages.These stations remind us about the journey of Jesus from his arrest to his death and burial. It depicts our own journey of life taking our own crosses. In this journey of life we are to follow Him and he leads us with his grace.
The second phase of the celebration was in the Cathedral and it had three parts: namely, the liturgy of the Word where in the passion narrative as given by St. John was read, followed by the homily. The first part ended with the great intercessory prayer for the whole world and all peoples. In the second part there was the veneration of the Cross, during which all the faithful pay their respect to Jesus crucified by kissing it.
The third part of the liturgy was the Holy Communion. In the tradition of the Catholic Church, Good Friday is the only day in the whole year when Holy Eucharist is not celebrated.
The Good Friday service at the Cathedral was led by Most Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, the bishop of Kohima. He in his homily reflected on the last 7 words of Jesus from the Cross, showing forth their relevance and application in the life each Christians, namely; "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." Lk;23:34 . "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise." Lk; 23:43 "Jesus said to his mother: "Woman, this is your son." Then he said to the disciple: "This is your mother." Jn; 19:26-27 "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Mt;27:46 /Mk;15:34 "I thirst." Jn; 19:28 "It is finished;" Jn; 19:29-30 Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit."
He urged the faithful to gaze on Christ crucified to draw grace from Him who was crucified and died for us. Jesus took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.
The Cathedral Church was packed to capacity. Along with the bishop six other priests concelebrated in the service.
Good Friday is also observed by all the Catholics as a day of prayer, fasting and abstinence.
