Good Friday
Readings: ISAIAH 52:13–53:12, PSALM 30(31):2, 6, 12–13, 15–17, 25, HEBREWS 4:14–16, 5:7–9, JOHN 18:1–19:42
18 April 2025
Seeing his mother and the disciple he loved standing near her. JN 19:26
Near the Cross of Jesus, there stood his mother and the beloved disciple, the disciple whom Jesus loved (Jn 19:25–27). We believe the beloved disciple to be John, the author of the Gospel (see Jn 21:24). But even though the beloved disciple is mentioned five times in the Gospel according to John (See Jn 13:23; 19:26; 20:2; 21:7; 21:20), it is worth noting that the beloved disciple is never actually named. There is good reason for this.
Two thousand years ago, the beloved disciple standing near the Cross was John. But today, on Good Friday, as we gather to venerate the Cross, the beloved disciple standing near the Cross is you and me. We are now the beloved disciple, the one Jesus loves. In fact, we are the beloved disciple every time we gather together for the celebration of the Mass, bearing in mind that the sacrifice of the Mass, and the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross are one and the same sacrifice (CCC, 1366–1367).
Furthermore, 2,000 years ago, when Jesus saw his mother and the beloved disciple standing near the Cross, Jesus said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” And then, to the beloved disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the beloved disciple made a place for Mary in his home (Jn 19:26–27). But today, if we are the beloved disciple standing near the Cross, those same words apply to us. We stand with the mother of Jesus, and upon seeing us, Jesus says to his mother, “Woman, behold, your children!” And to us, “Behold, your mother!” And just as the beloved disciple 2,000 years ago made a place for Mary in his home, so also, today, we are called to make a place for Mary in our homes and in the home of our hearts.
May we look upon Mary as our mother. Amen.
Fr Antony Jukes OFM
Fr Antony Jukes OFM, from Chingford, East London, joined the Franciscan Order of Friars Minor in 2002 and was ordained in 2009. He has served in a parish, youth retreat centre, and a Franciscan Study Centre, and is now the novice director in Killarney, Ireland.
With thanks to the Diocese of Wollongong, who have supplied this reflection from their publication, METANOIA – Lenten Program 2025. Reproduced with permission.
