In the days when Christ was in the flesh, he offered prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered; and when he was made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.
Hebrews 4
May the peace and mercy of God be with you today. Good Friday is perhaps the most solemn and stark celebration of the liturgical year. Our readings today remind us once again, who Jesus is, and how the world reacted to him and his unwavering desire to do the will of God the Father.
In the Passion narrative from the Gospel of John, we are faced with the trial that Jesus stood on our behalf. His suffering demonstrates the incredible grip that sin has had on humanity, and the effort it took to break the bonds of death that plagued humanity. It took an act of God — we could not, and cannot, overcome this ourselves.
In this sacrifice, we see not cruelty, but the depth and breadth of God’s mercy. So on this day of mercy may we offer our fasting, worship, and reverence for the Cross and our prayers for all people, places, and conditions. Let our hearts and voices be united in gratitude today for God’s great act of love. In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.