GOOD FRIDAY
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3: 16
And so it was, that on the first Good Friday afternoon, was completed the greatest act by which light conquered darkness and goodness conquered sin.
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was born as the prophesied Messiah, for the specific mission of accomplishing God’s holy plan of eternal redemption and salvation for the whole of humanity. He came to save sinners and died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person. But God showed his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.
Good Friday, the Friday before Easter, is the day on which Christians annually observe the commemoration of the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ. From the early days of Christianity, Good Friday was observed as a day of sorrow, penance, and fasting.
Most Glorious and Suffering Lord Jesus, it is your hour, by which You conquered sin and death. The hour for which you came into this world, taking on flesh so as to offer your precious life for the salvation of the world.
May I be with You, dear Lord, in these moments of suffering and death. May I, like Your Mother, John and Mary Magdalene, stand at the foot of the Cross, gazing upon the perfect Gift of Love.
My suffering Lord, may I see in Your Cross the most perfect act ever known in this world. May I see Love in its most pure form. May my eyes and soul look beyond the blood and pain and see Your Divine Heart, pouring forth Mercy upon me and upon the whole world.
We kneel in silent adoration of you, our God, beholding the great mystery of our faith. We behold with shuddering breath our God, being beaten, bruised, mocked, tortured and killed. But in this act, we see all grace and Mercy flowing from your wounded Heart.
Bathe the world in your Mercy, dear Lord. Cover us with your grace and draw us to new life in you through Your death. We love you, dear Lord, with all our hearts, minds and souls. Lord Jesus, we trust in you.
It was not nails that held you to that wretched cross, but the absolute love for your Father, to do his will, and it was love for sinners like us. Good Friday is truly a good day, because you traded places for the sake of our redemption.
It is a good day because you conquered sin and death so that we may never be apart from God on this or that side of heaven.
You paid the price, such a tremendous sacrifice, to offer us the gift of eternal life. Help us never to take for granted this huge gift of love on our behalf. Help us to be reminded of the cost of it all.
Forgive us for being too busy, for not fully recognizing what you have so freely given, what you have done for us.
Thank you, Lord, that by your wounds we are healed. Thank you that because of your huge sacrifice we can live free. Thank you that sin and death have been conquered and that your Power is everlasting.
Thank you that we can say with great hope, “It is finished” For we know what’s still to come. And death has lost its sting. We praise you, Father God, for you are transforming and making all things new. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
HAVE A BLESSED GOOD FRIDAY!