Crucified Jesus cant Turn his Head and look back. He can look only front and Up to Heaven

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Holy Week :  Good Friday*

*Gospel :  John 18:1-19:42*

*First Reading : Is 52 :13-53:12*

*Responsorial Psalm : 31: 2-25*

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

*Crucified Jesus cant Turn his Head and look back. He can look only front and Up to Heaven*

*1) Fixed Between Heaven and the World*

Jesus’ body is stretched between earth and heaven. His eyes are not turned to the past, but lifted upward and directed outward. Even in suffering, His focus is clear: the Father’s will above, and humanity before Him.

We often live the opposite way—looking backward at regrets, failures, old wounds.

But life is not lived backward. We are called to keep our eyes on God (above) and on our mission (ahead).

*2) The Danger of Looking Back*

Looking back can trap us: in guilt (“I should have done differently…”), in resentment (“They hurt me…”)

in nostalgia (“Things were better before…”)

But on the Cross, Jesus shows that salvation happens in the present moment, not in revisiting the past.

When we keep turning back, we lose the grace of now.

We delay healing because we keep reopening what God is ready to redeem.

*3) No Turning Back from Love*

Jesus cannot physically turn back—but spiritually, He has already made that choice.

There is no retreat from love, no reconsidering forgiveness, no second-guessing His mission.

Even when it costs everything, He continues forward.

We often “look back” when love becomes costly: forgiving someone who hurt us, staying faithful in difficulty, choosing what is right over what is easy

The Cross asks: Will I keep going, or will I turn back?

*4) Eyes Lifted to the Father*

Jesus’ gaze is not trapped in suffering. It is lifted: “Father, into Your hands…”

He sees beyond the Cross—to trust, to purpose, to completion.

When we are overwhelmed, we tend to look inward or backward. But the Cross teaches us to look upward—to trust even when we don’t understand.

*5) Eyes Directed Toward Others*

Even in agony, Jesus looks outward: He forgives those who crucify Him. He comforts the repentant thief. He entrusts His mother to a disciple

His suffering does not close Him in—it opens Him out.

Looking back often makes us self-focused. Looking forward allows us to love, serve, and give life to others.

*6) What About Me?*

If Jesus cannot look back, then the question becomes deeply personal:

What past am I still staring at?

What regret, hurt, or fear keeps pulling my head backward?

What would change if I fixed my gaze on God and moved forward?

*7) Points to Ponder*

On Good Friday, the Cross becomes not only something we look at—but something that looks at us.

Jesus does not turn His head back to the past. He looks up in trust and forward in love.

And quietly, He asks each of us: “Will you keep looking back, or will you walk forward with Me?”

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*