TOPIC
C, GOOD FRIDAY, I FIND NO GUILT IN HIM
C, GOOD FRIDAY HOMILY, JOHN18:1-19:42, APRIL 15, 2022
1. STORY
One evening five-year-old John’s grandmother briefly told him about the life of
Jesus ending with Jesus being crucified on the cross. That night little John
could not sleep thinking about Jesus on the cross. He got up and went to the
living room and took down the cross from the wall. Then he went into the
kitchen and got a knife. He tried to pry the nails from the cross but failed.
He began to cry and woke up his grandmother who asked him what the trouble was.
John replied that he tried to remove the nails from the cross as it was unjust
and a cruel way to treat Jesus. His grandmother agreed that it was unjust to
treat the innocent Jesus in this way.
2. GOSPEL, JOHN 18:1-19:42
A. I FIND NO GUILT IN HIM.
i)
Pilate told the leaders three times that he found no guilt in Jesus and had no
reason to put him to death.
ii)
Pilate learned that Jesus was king of the whole universe.
iii)
The leaders repeatedly told him to crucify Jesus.
B. BEHOLD YOUR MOTHER.
Even
in his great suffering Jesus cared for the people. He gave us his mother when
he said, “Woman behold your son!” Then Jesus said to the disciple, “Behold your
mother.” The disciple represents us and the Church.
3. APPLICATION TO LIFE
A. TREAT PEOPLE JUSTLY.
Sometimes
we treat people unjustly as Jesus was treated unjustly. Here are three ways to
treat people justly.
i)
See the good qualities in others. We all have good and bad qualities. It’s easier
to discover the bad qualities of others, so make an effort to discover their
good qualities.
ii)
If someone offends you, make an effort to forgive that person. Jesus teaches us
in the prayer, the Our Father, to forgive others. Remember that God forgives us
our sins.
iii)
Speak kindly to others knowing that no one is perfect. By doing so, we set a
good example and may influence them to treat others as they are being treated.
B. MARY OUR MOTHER HELPS US.
i)
Mary helps us because she is our spiritual mother. No matter what problems we
have, we should go to Mary for help.
ii)
Say the rosary or part of the rosary as often as possible. The ideal would be
to say it daily.
iii)
There are many opportunities for us to help others as Mary helps us. Try to follow
her example of helping others.
4. CONCLUSION
Little John tried to remove the nails from the cross because he knew that Jesus
was innocent. Pilate repeatedly told the people that he found no guilt in
Jesus. Despite this, the leaders shouted “Crucify him!” Jesus was unjustly
condemned to death. He gave us Mary as our mother. We should treat people
justly and ask Mary for help. We should follow her example and help others. We
thank Jesus for saving us and ask him for the strength to treat people justly.
