good friday
The Reading for Today: Psalm 22 & John 18:1-19:42 (read it slowly & devotionally)
Why “good”? In German this Friday before Easter is “Mourning Friday” - it is a day of facing the reality of the suffering and pain Jesus endured and the way of the cross before all those who follow in His way. This day is also referred to as Holy Friday and Great Friday. But why good? It seems to be peculiar to the English language and may have found it’s root in being called God’s Friday and over time just as “God be with you” was distilled to goodbye - God’s Friday evolved to Good Friday. Or maybe in English it was always “good friday” referring to the pious retrospect we have and confess as our Christian hope that no tragedy—not even death—can overwhelm God’s providence, love, and grace. All that tragedy brought about the greatest good there could be. [Short answer to why good? - Don’t know for sure.]
Prayer for Good Friday:
Holy Father,
Your Son, my Lord, Jesus bore the crushing weight of my sins as he hung from the cross, and even suffered to the point of death. By his bruised body, his precious blood, and his bitter agony, have mercy on me, a sinner. I praise you, bless you, and adore you, because by the holy cross he redeemed the world.
Amen.
Artwork by Father Michael Obrien “Crucifixion”
