Reading and meditation on the Word of God on GOOD Friday, April 3rd, 2026

Delivered by Evelyn from the Parish of Holy Spirit in the Archdiocese of Singapore. Isaiah 52: 13 - 53: 12; Rs psalm 31: 2.6.12-13.15-16.17.25; Hebrews 4: 14-16; 5: 7-9; John 18: 1 - 19: 42.BE A HELPER FOR THOSE WHO SUFFER Our meditation on this Good Friday has the theme: Be aHelper for Those Who Suffer. According to the Gospel of John, Our Lady stoodnear the Cross of Jesus (Jn 19: 25-27). But actually she was in the same crowdthat followed Jesus on his way to Calvary. The mother had once met her Sonalong the Via Dolorosa (the Passion of the Lord). The mother looked at her Sonin silence and sadness, but her heart was full of God's grace. A man who made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, Simon ofCyrene, was forced to help carry the cross of Jesus. He obeyed even though itwas not Jesus who requested to do such help. Of course, Jesus was very gratefulto him. Simon represented many people who want to help Jesus in his very tragicmoments, but they are afraid of the executioners who punished Jesus so brutaland without mercy. There are those who directly offer their help like Simon,and there are also those whose intentions to help are carried out by other whohave opportunity to help, but there are those who intend not to help and justwatching Jesus from distance.  Veronica is a woman who helped Jesus even though shewas not found in any of the four Gospels or other New Testament writings. Thestory of her is found in the apocryphal writings, which are not included in thecanonical scriptures that the Church now has. For example, Pilate's story fromthe 2nd century tells us that a woman named Veronica (Bernice, in Greek) wasthe same woman who had been healed by Jesus from the hemorrhage illness (Mt9,20-22). Veronica defended Jesus before Pilate that Jesus was innocent. Fromthe fourth or fifth century it is recorded that Veronica had a piece of clothwith a picture of the original face of Jesus. The three figures who helped Jesus in His via dolorosawere enough to illustrate that men and women followers of Christ can be goodhelpers to their neighbors. This help is classified into two types. First isthe help in the form of corporal acts of love. A corporal act of love is shownin the carrying the heavy cross of the suffering person like what Simon ofCyrene did. We can help to take up all the burden, a half of it, or a smallpart of it, and those with heavy burden can find it easy to go on in theirjourney of life. The type of spiritual acts also becomes an importanthelp for those in difficulty and suffering. A presence that gives consolation, an encouragement shown, a sense ofcompassion expressed, and a moral or spiritual support provided, all theseare acts of love that can bring joy andpeace for those who suffer and distress. The common way that we do in thisstyle is our sympathy or prayers. Through this, we actually help them to bestrong in bearing the burden and be faithful always to the Lord. This help alsoaims to keep up their spirit and avoid any negative reaction like giving up,anger and losing confidence. Mary and Veronica are exemplary women who havedone this to Jesus Christ. We can do the same as they did.Let'spray. In the name of the Father ... O God of mercy, we beg for forgiveness ofour mistakes for not helping others who are in pain and suffering. Hail Mary,full of grace ... In the name of the Father ...