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English Speaking Roman Catholic Community of Basel
Bruderholzallee 140
4059 Basel

  • Love That Embraces the Cross

    Good Friday: Isaiah 52:13—53:1; Psalm 31:2, 6, 12-13, 15-16, 17, 25; Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9; John 18:1—19:42

    Today, we come in silence, in reverence, and in awe. We gather at the foot of the Cross, not as passive spectators, but as those who dare to look upon love stretched out, broken, bleeding, and poured out for us.

    The readings of this day draw us into the mystery of suffering and redemption. Isaiah speaks of the Suffering Servant—one disfigured, despised, rejected. Yet, he is the one who bears our pain, carries our sorrows, and by his wounds, we are healed. It’s striking, isn’t it? That salvation comes not through strength or spectacle, but through what the world sees as weakness.

    Then the Letter to the Hebrews reminds us that Jesus, though Son of God, truly entered into our humanity. He felt what we feel—anguish, fear, abandonment. In the Garden, He did not hide His sorrow. He prayed with tears. He obeyed, not without struggle, but with a heart fully surrendered. And because He knows our suffering from the inside out, He can offer us mercy, grace, and strength—especially when we feel like we can’t go on.

    And then we come to the Gospel of John—the Passion. So familiar, and yet, it always pierces the heart anew. We see betrayal and denial, injustice and cruelty. Jesus stands silent before Pilate. He carries His cross through the jeers. He speaks from the cross—not with blame, but with love. “Father, forgive them.” “Woman, behold your son.” “I thirst.” And finally, “It is finished.”

    But what exactly is finished? Not just His earthly life. What’s finished is the work of salvation. He has poured out everything. He has loved to the end.

    And here’s the miracle: this death brings life. This defeat becomes victory. The cross, once an instrument of shame, becomes the throne of our King. The world sees a failed Messiah. But faith sees the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

    So what does this mean for us?

    It means we are not alone in our suffering. It means our pain is not meaningless. It means that even when we feel like Good Friday has come into our lives—when darkness falls, when we’re hurt or grieving or afraid—God is not distant. He is right there with us, on the cross.

    And maybe most of all, today tells us this: we are loved. Not just in words, but in blood. Not just when we’re strong, but even in our weakness. Even when we run like Peter or fall like the disciples. Even when we feel like we’ve messed up beyond repair.

    The cross is proof that nothing—not sin, not failure, not death—can stop God from loving us. And because of that love, we have hope. Even today. Even in the silence. Even in the tomb. Because Easter is coming. Light is stronger than darkness. Love is stronger than death.

    Let us walk away from this moment, not in despair, but with quiet confidence. Let’s carry our crosses with courage, knowing that Jesus has walked this path before us. Let’s let His love change us, comfort us, and call us to love like He loved—selflessly, freely, totally.

    Yes, today is Good Friday. It is good not because of what was done to Jesus, but because of what He did for us. And that changes everything.

     

  • HOLY WEEK

    Walking in Faith, Trusting in Glory
    Palm Sunday 13.04.2025 17:30 at Bruder Klaus Church

    Maundy Thursday 17.04.2025 17:30 at Bruder Klaus Church

    Good Friday 18.04.2025 17:30 at Bruder Klaus Church

    Easter Vigil 19.04.2025 20:30 at Heiliggeist Kirche in German

    Easter Sunday 20.04.2025 17:30 at Bruder Klaus Church



  • Nursery and Word of God programs

    The Nursery for babies and toddlers is in the Pre-sacristy room. Our Word of God program is tailored for children aged 4 to 7 years. It is offered during our weekly Mass on Sundays at 17.30. The children are invited downstairs before the Liturgy of the Word and return before the Liturgy of the Eucharist. The children are taught a Bible story (usually related to the Sunday readings), recite the Our Father, and complete a simple craft or word puzzle

Contact Us

English Speaking Roman Catholic Community of Basel
info@esrccb.org

Bank Account IBAN CH22 0900 0000 8722 1172 2
BIC POFICHBEXXX