1. What would cause God the Father to lay on Jesus “the iniquity of us all”? Why would God the Son accept this? How can they work together on this? What was the driving force? Do we call it “the Spirit”?
 
2. The First Reading says, “Oppressed and condemned, he was taken away … ” Who today can relate to this part of Jesus’ suffering?

Second Reading
Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9

1. How does the following statement of Pope Francis relate to “let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy” in this reading?

Jesus is never far from us sinners. He wants to pour out on us, without limit, all of his mercy.

March 24, 2014
The Holy Father Speaks

2. “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin.” What does this mean to you? Why do we need a “sympathetic high priest”?

Gospel: The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John
John 18:1–19:42

1. “You say I am a king. For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth.  Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.”  To what “truth” is Jesus testifying? Did Jesus come to dwell among us so we would know the truth? Is it related to love? How?

2. To what degree are you willing to testify to the truth?

3. “If you release him, you are not a friend of Caesar.” Do you make your decisions according to what you think is right, or according to what will bring you more friends?

4. “I thirst.” Was Jesus’ thirst for a drink or was it for each of us, and our love? How do you respond to such a thirst in your everyday life? For what do you thirst?

5. Here is Pope Francis’ explanation of Good Friday, for discussion:

Before the image of the crucified God, we will bring, in prayer, the many, the too many who are crucified in our time.

Let us make a list of all the wars that are being fought in this moment; of all the children who die of hunger; of children who have no education; of entire populations destroyed by wars, by terrorism. …

Now, in the hour of his supreme Sacrifice on the cross, he brings to fulfillment the task entrusted to him by the Father: he enters into the abyss of suffering, he enters into these disasters of this world, to redeem and transform. And this, only God’s love can do this.

By his wounds we have been healed (see 1 Pt 2:24), the apostle Peter says, by his death we have been reborn, all of us. And thanks to him, abandoned on the cross, no one will ever again be alone in the darkness of death. Never, he is always beside us: we need only open our heart and let ourselves be looked upon by him.

Pope Francis explains the meaning of Good Friday
America Magazine, March 31, 2021