Why Have You Forsaken Me?” - Good Friday 2019

One of the most heart wrenching cries of the crucified Jesus is not recorded in the Passion according to St. John that we have just heard, but is in the Passion narratives according to Matthew and Mark. It is the first verse of Psalm 22: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” What shocking words from the dying lips of God’s own Son! Jesus’ cry is the prayer of a persecuted, innocent man, torn by affliction, yet trusting still in God His Father as His consolation and hope. For Jesus, and because of Him, for us and for the world, the cry of agony will give way to the Resurrection hymn of thanks and praise.