07/04/2023
𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐃 𝐅𝐑𝐈𝐃𝐀𝐘
Today, we listen and reflect on the passion, crucifixion and death of Jesus. We call this particular day “Good Friday”. What is particularly good on this day? Let us count the ways:
1. Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus but Jesus did not condemn him. If only Judas asked for forgiveness, he would not have ended his life in shame.
2. Peter denied Jesus three times yet he was forgiven because he was sorry for what he did. Eventually, he became the leader of the community for which he was called upon.
3. Not all of His disciples abandoned Jesus. There were the women of Jerusalem who accompanied Him on His way to Calvary. These people who had much lesser value than men in a patriarchal society have the love and strength to show up when they could have stayed at home where they belong.
4. Then there is Mary, the Mother of Jesus. Can you imagine a mother witnessing her very own son suffer an ignominious death yet she can not do anything? It is Mary who can give justice to the term “strong woman”. She is the picture of real strength.
5. Although we often recite the phrase, “He suffered under Pontius Pilate”, we must applaud Pilate for writing the truth on the cross and without giving in to pressure to remove. He wrote, “Jesus the Nazarene, King of the Jews.” Yes, Jesus is our king and we must let it be known.
6. Jesus was mocked, slapped, pierced, and killed in the most brutal way. No, that may not be the right word for it. There is actually no right word to use to describe the kind of suffering that Jesus underwent. Any word would fail. Yet Jesus would still say, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”. Do you have any difficulty forgiving someone. Look up to Jesus.
7. By His crucifixion and death, Jesus finished His mission whatever the cost. No worries. No regrets. “It is finished.” At the end, He entrusted everything to His Father saying, “Father, into your hands, I commend my spirit.” Can we do the same?
Despite the suffering, the shame, the death, the darkness, we still call it Good Friday. For on this day, Jesus died for you and me.
