Good Friday

Greg and I had been going to mass on Sundays at St. Patrick's 4 blocks away. Since we move a lot, we make it a point to find the nearest Catholic Church to be a part of in our new hood. While we were on our usual walk one afternoon, we found out St. Patrick's, a short walking distance from where we live. We've been coming for 2 Sundays but skipped last Sunday because I was in Florida. Yesterday was Holy Thursday and as Catholics, this day is being celebrated as Jesus' Last Supper with His disciples. With good reason, this day is also a day that Catholics commemorate the institution of the three pillars of Catholic faith: the sacrament of communion, priesthood, and Holy mass. I really wanted to go to mass on this day, so I went 4 blocks down the road to see the mass schedule when I found out from one of the members that we have been actually attending -- the Anglican Church. Now I know.

I guess it doesn't really matter what Church you attend, it is the faith that counts.

Today is Good Friday, the culmination of the Holy week in the Catholic faith. On this day as Catholics we commemorate the passion, the suffering and the crucifixion of Jesus all for our salvation in fulfillment of the scriptures. Today we commemorate the anniversary of the death of Jesus in the cross.

Today, instead of dwelling on my misadventures, I will reflect on what this day really means for me. I have always wondered why Good Friday is called Good Friday despite being the saddest day in Christian history? When immortality surrendered to death, the infinite becomes nothing, that without question is the most painful day everyone will ever endure.

^{1 Cor. 15:3-4} For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures . .

In the Philippines, a predominantly Catholic country observe this day with religious reflections. It is a time of religious renewal, prayer and penance. On Good Friday, thousands of penitents will re-enact the sufferings of Jesus Christ by carrying cross to Calvary and crucifixion. Many will do the "visita iglesia" , or the church visits during the exposition of the Eucharist, reflects on the 7 last words, and then join the processions of the "Santo Entierro" (the interred Body of Christ) along with "Virgin Dolorosa" (the mourning Mother).

Through all these different rituals and observance of Good Friday, I am here reflecting on Jesus' sacrifices and death on the cross and literally hanging on there with Jesus believing in God's love and salvation. When He died He rose from the dead in order to give us new life. That is perhaps how today's friday became a good friday, because when He died, there was a new beginning when He rose up from the dead. A new life promised for those who believe.

    ^{John 3:16} For God so loved the world that He gave His one begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.