He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, with no complaint
from his lips against the evil done to him. (Is 53:7)
Good Friday is the one day in the whole year when the Catholic Church does NOT celebrate Mass – the Eucharistic liturgy. It is incorrect to call the Good Friday liturgy a Mass because the priest will not pray the words that change the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ. We do receive Communion on Good Friday, but the hosts were consecrated the night before at Holy Thursday’s Mass of the Lord’s Supper.
The Good Friday liturgy is a solemn celebration of the Lord's Passion. It has three parts:
- Liturgy of the Word (including the Passion according to John)
- Adoration of the Cross
- Holy Communion
The death of Jesus on the Cross liberated humanity from the slavery of sin. His obedience destroyed the disease of disobedience. It is fitting that on the day on which we commemorate the death of the Lord, we receive the pledge of eternal life in the Holy Eucharist.