The faithful lines up to venerate the Cross with a bow instead of the tradition of “kissing the cross” in pre-COVID days
By Agnes Chai
Apr 19 2022
KOTA KINABALU – Almost two thousand faithful packed the Sacred Heart Cathedral and the adjacent parish hall and joined KK prelate Archbishop John Wong on Good Friday Apr 15 for the physical liturgical commemoration of the Passion and Death of Our lord Jesus Christ.
At the same time, the Solemn Liturgy was live streamed from the Cathedral via its YouTube channel.
After the proclamation of the Passion, the Archbishop preached the homily taking the theme “It is accomplished”.
Archbishop Wong underlined “With total freedom, Jesus willingly went to the cross and said: ‘It is accomplished!’” What exactly did Jesus accomplish from the cross?
Archbishop John Wong raised the Wood of the Cross for all to see during the Good Friday Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral Apr 15
He elaborated, in a short span of 30 years, Jesus seems to have accomplished a lot: the Gospel story tells us how He was conceived and born of Mary; where He grew up; how He called His first disciples to follow Him; how He preached and the many miracles that caught the attention of many; and His constant opposition with the Jewish authority that ultimately led to that “final week” beginning with His triumphant entry into Jerusalem, to the Last Supper, the Agony in the Garden, the Betrayal, Arrest and Trial, and then the Crucifixion.
It seemed like it ended in failure, rejection and a shameful death, yet what was/is being accomplished on the cross was/is something far greater, preached the prelate.
He added, it was in obedience to the Father, that Jesus, the Son of God, willingly and freely emptied Himself, assumed the condition of a slave; and was humiliated; and He was humbler yet, even to accepting death, death on a cross, because of His Love for the Father and for us.
Christ was humbler yet, even to accepting death, death on a Cross. But God raised Him high and gave Him the name which is above all names.” (Phil 2:6-11)
It was described by Pope Francis once “the two verbs “empty” and “humble” exemplify the perfect example of the path of redemption, showing the boundlessness of God’s love for us”.
At this very moment, Jesus is inviting us to come and experience what He has accomplished for us.
