Good Friday at St Ann’s
A Night of Love and Service
On Thursday evening, the parish of St. Anne’s, Kingston Hill, came together to begin the Sacred Triduum with a deeply moving Mass of the Lord’s Supper.
The church was well attended, and the spirit of prayer and reflection was beautifully present throughout the liturgy.
The highlight of the evening was the Washing of the Feet, where twelve parishioners symbolically received the gesture of Christ’s humility and service. This act reminded us that true discipleship is found not in power, but in love that stoops to serve.
We also received the Three Holy Oils blessed at the Chrism Mass — the Oil of Catechumens, Oil of the Sick, and Sacred Chrism — which will be used throughout the year in our sacramental life.
The celebration concluded with the Reposition of the Blessed Sacrament, and many remained in silent adoration, keeping watch with the Lord in His hour of solitude.
We thank all who attended and supported the liturgy — may the love of Christ, who gave Himself for us, remain alive in our hearts.
“Love one another as I have loved you.” (John 13:34)
Good Friday Homily
“When the Crowd Chooses Barabbas”
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
There is something deeply painful about today’s liturgy. Not just because we remember the crucifixion, but because we are forced to confront the human heart — and the crowd’s heart — when it turns away from love.
I remember during my seminary days, we had what was called Community Day. The whole seminary, about 300 of us, was split into two large groups. For a full week, we entered into spirited competitions — sports, debates, stage plays, creative arts — all meant to build unity and camaraderie. In theory, it was a beautiful celebration. In practice, sometimes, it exposed the darker sides of us.
One year, I was part of a group that had to put on a stage performance. The other team had designed an artistic tree as part of their set. During the performance, a gust of wind caused the tree to shake slightly. Some members of my group insisted this was a violation of the rules and demanded the team be disqualified.
A handful of voices turned into a mob. Even mature, level-headed seminarians lost their balance. They shouted, protested, and tore down what was supposed to be a celebration of community. The rest of the week was full of boycotts, divisions, chants against the organising committee, and hostility. It was no longer about truth or fairness — it became about noise, emotion, dominance.
And in moments like that, I realised something: all it takes is two or three voices, and a crowd can be led astray.
And so we come to Good Friday.
There, too, was a crowd.
The same crowd that sang “Hosanna!” just days earlier…
…now yells “Crucify Him!”
And in one of the most chilling moments of the Passion, Pilate asks them,
“Whom shall I release to you — Jesus, or Barabbas?”
And they choose Barabbas.
Barabbas — a man guilty of violence, rebellion, and crime — is released.
Jesus — the one who healed their sick, touched their hearts, dined with sinners, forgave the broken — is handed over.
And the people go silent. Those whom He healed, loved, defended — they are there, but say nothing.
The mob wins.
This is not just history. It is humanity.
Today, culture and emotion still have the power to drown truth.
Voices online, peer pressure, trends, and selfish values take over.
We live in a time where the criminal is often released and Christ is crucified again — not on a hill, but in our homes, in our culture, in our choices.
The culture of self, of pride, of moral confusion is loud.
And if we’re not careful, we can be swept up in it — even without knowing.
So what do we do?
We must learn to step back.
To become what I call the third person in your own story.
When you face a conflict, a temptation, or confusion — don’t stand inside the storm. Step outside it. Become a third person. View your situation not with emotion, but with Christ’s eyes.
You do that for others — when someone tells you their problem, you give them wise, calm advice.
But when the problem is yours, you lose clarity.
So do what Jesus did — remain rooted in truth, even when the crowd shouts.
Don’t let culture think for you. Don’t let noise define your choices.
Christ or Barabbas?
That is the question today.
Not for the crowd. But for you.
- In your daily choices
- In your values
- In your relationships
- In how you treat others when emotions rise
- In how you parent your children, form your conscience, or respond to pressure
Do you choose Barabbas — what’s easy, popular, safe?
Or do you choose Jesus — the way of love, truth, and sacrifice?
Final Word
Jesus stands silently today. Bruised. Rejected.
Still offering love, still hoping for your “yes.”
Let this Good Friday open our eyes. Let us not stand with the shouting crowd, but with the crucified Christ.
Let us not release the criminal, but hold on to God. Amen.
