By

E Weerapperuma

“The cross was two pieces of dead wood; and a helpless, unresisting Man was nailed to it; yet it was mightier than the world, and triumphed, and will ever triumph over it.” – Augustus William Hare.

“Exalt the Cross! God has hung the destiny of the race upon it. Other things we may do in the realm of ethics, and on the lines of philanthropic reforms; but our main duty converges into setting that one glorious beacon of salvation, Calvary’s Cross, before the gaze of every immortal soul.”
– Theodore Ledyard Cuyler.

“So shall we join the disciples of our Lord, keeping faith in Him in spite of the crucifixion, and making ready, by our loyalty to Him in the days of His darkness, for the time when we shall enter into His triumph in the days of His light.” – Phillips Brooks.

Today is Good Friday. Catholics of the Universal Church and devotees belonging to mainstream Christian Churches the world over observe this day as the Day of Salvation to humanity through the sublime sacrifice Jesus Christ made on the Cross at Calvary.

The blossoming 33-year old youth, a rebel in the eyes of misguided masses, he was there to offer himself as the sacrificial lamb to God, His Father. The Death on the Cross was the culminating of His Mission on Earth.

Good Friday is the second day of the Easter Triduum. Holy Thursday is the first day of the Easter Triduum. on which day the Last Supper, Washing of the Feet of Disciples, Institution of the Holy Orders and Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. This the Catholic – Christian world celebrated yesterday.

Good Friday is the day of the commemoration of the Passion and Death of Christ. On this day celebration takes place around 3 pm. The devotees attending churches of various denominations in large numbers listen to the gospel readings of the day and reflect on the Passion and Death of Christ, the Word of God and the savior of the human race. This is followed by special prayers for the church, and for the people of all levels, and then the veneration of the Cross and Communion service are the observances the devotees take part in.

Good Friday leads us to reflect on the wonderful message of how God loved us so much that He gave His Precious Son, Jesus and to die as the Perfect Lamb of God on behalf of the whole of human race. Thus Good Friday is perhaps the most solemn day in the Church Calendar. It is a time when we reflect upon all that Jesus did for us. He willingly gave his life on the cross at Calvary.

Jesus Christ is the Messiah, God promised at the garden of Eden to our first parents, the representatives of the human race. God who created the first parents in his own image chased them away from the garden when, they committed the greatest sin, the sin of disobedience to God their Creator.

No man could bring about reconciliation between God and man, hence the Word of God, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity commissioned to come, make the sublime sacrifice to reconcile, bring about peace and amity between God and Man. In that sense the day we call ‘Friday is really Good Friday’ to the whole human race.

What a supreme paradox. We call the day Jesus was crucified good. It is very hard to imagine a day marked by sadness as a good day. But the Church has always understood the commemorated event, was anything but a happy day. Reading Corinthian 2:7-10 we shall understand that despite sadness Good Friday is truly good as its sorrow is godly sorrow. It is like the sadness of the Corinthians who wept over the sharp letter from their dear teacher, Paul, convicted of the sin in their midst. Hearing of their distress, Paul said, “My joy was greater than ever.” Why? Because such godly sorrow “brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret” (2 Cor. 7:10).

Reflecting in depth we realize the good tidings in the act of offering of Jesus as the Sublime Sacrifice. God in His infinite goodness sent His own Son to save the humanity from the wrath of God, their Creator and let human race earn the title “the children of God ” God chosen – You are My people and I am your God.” In that sense Friday is Good Friday, Holy Friday and God’s Friday.

The commemoration of Christ’s death reminds us of the human sin that caused this death. And we see again that salvation comes only through godly sorrow–both God’s and, in repentance, ours. To pursue happiness, we must first experience sorrow. He who goes forth sowing tears returns in joy.

On this day the Christian liturgies reflect the gravity of Christ’s act. Services linger on the details of Christ’s death and the extent of His sacrifice. Often the *Stabat Mater* is performed – a 13th century devotional poem remembering Mary’s vigil by the cross. The poem begins *Stabat Mater Dolorosa*: “a grief-stricken mother was standing.”

Devotees attending today’s services will reflect and meditate on the hours Lord spent on the cross, before offering his spirit, the last breath to His Father Divine. They reflect on seven last words of Jesus Christ on the Cross .This form of Catholic devotional practices originated with seventeenth-century Peruvian Jesuits and continues to this day.

The term ‘good’ in the context of Good Friday is contested. Some claim that it is from the senses pious, holy of the word ‘good’ comes and there are others who opine that it is a corruption of “God Friday”.

The Oxford English Dictionary supports the first etymology, giving “of a day or season observed as holy by the church” as an archaic sense of good.

Good Friday has always challenged merely human goodness. Its sad commemoration reminds us that in the face of sin, our goodness avails of nothing. Only One is good enough to save us. That He did so is cause indeed for celebration.

Courtesy: Daily News