“Behold the wood of the Cross, on which hung the salvation of the world.”
This sacred refrain echoed in the hearts of the faithful the afternoon of April 3 as Bishop Joseph A. Williams led the Good Friday Service at Assumption Church, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Galloway. Prior to the 3 p.m. liturgy, he joined the parish community in the Way of the Cross, a live re-enactment of Jesus’ Passion.
The Good Friday liturgy was proclaimed in English, Spanish and Creole. Father Gerard C. Marable, pastor, Father Franklin Opara, parochial vicar, and seminarians were also with Bishop Williams.
During the liturgy, Bishop Williams referred to 1 Samuel 16:7, “God looks into the heart.”
“We don’t see as God sees. What gives us the capacity to see as God sees is faith,” Bishop Williams preached. “With faith, we can see as God sees … without faith, we would never understand the mystery we are celebrating today. … Ironically today on Calvary, ‘when I am lifted up,’ says Jesus, ‘then everyone will know that I am … and my glory is fulfilled on Calvary.’ We can only see that with the eyes of faith.”
One by one, the faithful came forward to venerate the Cross – through a kiss or a bow – each gesture a quiet, personal act of love and gratitude.
Good Friday stands apart from every other day – a day marked by solemn reverence and deep contemplation of the mystery of the Cross. No Mass is celebrated. Instead, the Church gathers in a stark and powerful liturgy of Sacred Scripture, the Adoration of the Cross, and Holy Communion consecrated on Holy Thursday.
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