MARCH 29, 2024 – GOOD FRIDAY – SS. JONAS, BARACHISIUS, AND THEIR COMPANIONS, MARTYRS.
- St. Gundleus (Woolo) (472). (Historical)
GOOD FRIDAY.
JESUS CHRIST was nailed to the cross about midday, expired thereon in the afternoon, and was taken down in the evening toward sunset, or the sixth hour. According to the language of St. Paul, thus did He, by His blood, pacify heaven and earth. If this form of expression convey not simply the reconciliation of heaven with the earth, it veils a mystery impenetrable to feeble reason. But this very reconciliation is in itself the greatest mystery; for man always vainly tries to explain it by recurring to comparisons and considerations of human conception merely, which are vastly insufficient, from the fact of their being human. And what matters it, after all, whether we understand or not so great a mystery? Enough for us that it has produced its effect, and that we are able to adore it in gratitude and love. That philosophy should rail at what it does not fathom is sheer foolishness. Incredulity may scoff at what it does not recognize; it concerns it, however, to know whether reason be on its side. Let heresy explain, after human fashion, things divine; as for us Christians, let us fix our gaze on the Mediator between God and man, raised aloft between heaven and earth, with arms outstretching in order to enfold the universe; with head down bent, to give to the world the kiss of peace and reconciliation, after having, at the cost of His blood, purchased peace, and let us humble our whole being in heartfelt thanksgiving and love. Let us reverently imprint our lips on this cross, the instrument of our salvation; let us bend down trembling before the just God, who takes such noble revenge for our guilt. By our works let us make some return for the price we have cost; by our penitence and tears let us apply to ourselves the merit of His redemption, and henceforth live only for heaven, since we have been made heirs to heaven.
REFLECTION: The cross, “to the Jews indeed a stumbling-block, and to the Gentiles foolishness,” is, withal, the instrument of Christ’s power and of the wisdom of God.
SS. JONAS, BARACHISIUS, AND THEIR COMPANIONS, MARTYRS.
KING SAPOR, of Persia, in the eighteenth year of his reign, raised a bloody persecution against the Christians, and laid waste their churches and monasteries. Jonas and Barachisius, two brothers of the city Beth-Asa, hearing that several Christians lay under sentence of death at Hubaham, went thither to encourage and serve them. Nine of that number received the crown of martyrdom. After their execution, Jonas and Barachisius were apprehended for having exhorted them to die. The president entreated the two brothers to obey the King of Persia, and to worship the sun, moon, fire, and water. Their answer was, that it was more reasonable to obey the immortal King of heaven and earth than a mortal prince. Jonas was beaten with knotty clubs and with rods, and next set in a frozen pond, with a cord tied to his foot. Barachisius had two red-hot iron plates and two red-hot hammers applied under each arm, and melted lead dropped into his nostrils and eyes; after which, he was carried to prison, and there hung up by one foot. Despite these cruel tortures, the two brothers remained steadfast in the faith. New and more horrible torments were then devised, under which, at last, they yielded up their lives, while their pure souls winged their flight to heaven, there to gain the martyr’s crown which they had so faithfully won.
REFLECTION: Those powerful motives which supported the martyrs under the sharpest torments ought to inspire us with patience, resignation, and holy joy under sickness and all crosses or trials. Nothing is more heroic in the practice of Christian virtue, nothing more precious in the sight of God, than the sacrifice of patience, submission, constant fidelity, and charity in a state of suffering.
WORD OF THE DAY
GOOD THIEF. Traditionally said to be Dismas, one of the robbers crucified with Christ. He rebuked his companion for demanding that Christ should save them, prayed for a share in his Kingdom, and was assured of salvation. A portion of the cross on which he died is venerated in the Chapel of Relics in the Church of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, in Rome. The Good Thief is the patron of persons condemned to death.
See DISMAS.
Modern Catholic Dictionary, Fr. John Hardon SJ (Get the real one at Eternal Life — don’t accept an abridged or edited version of this masterpiece!)
HOLY WEEK MEDITATIONS
Special meditations focused on Holy Week: GOOD FRIDAY
LENT MEDITATION DAY 45
Enjoy daily meditations this lent from Fr. Richard Clarke, SJ. Short and powerful, written in 1880 for busy lay people to reap rewards through lent. (includes audio): Lent Day 45: Good Friday — The Descent from the Cross.
March is the Month of St. Joseph
Daily devotional meditations on Saint Joseph: March 29th — St. Joseph’s Happy Death.
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