In the present moment, we experience here and now the saving presence of Jesus among us and we look forward with hope to the future. He taught the exact opposite- to love God and then to love others as yourself, noting that everything else related to these two simple concepts.
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The holiday is one of many observed during the holy week, and comes after Maundy Thursday and before Easter Sunday.
The biblical account of Jesus’ death on the cross, or crucifixion, his burial and his resurrection from the dead, can be found in the following passages of Scripture: Matthew 27:27-28:8; Mark 15:16-16:19; Luke 23:26-24:35; and John 19:16-20:30. The Bible puts it this way: Jesus died “so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death – that is, the devil – and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death” (Hebrews 2:14-15).
“It will do us good”, he continued, “to think of the silence of Our Lady – “the Believer” – who in silence was awaiting the Resurrection”. For those of us regularly involved in the liturgical life of the Church and her sacraments, especially the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we are most likely here to encounter and remember God’s steadfast love; but how can we encourage and engage those not regularly familiar with church or sacraments?
Many Fijians have suffered a great deal from Tropical Cyclone Winston – the loss of loved ones, their homes and possessions. Plus, he left us stories through others on how to make that same connection with God.
Resurrection Sunday, or Easter, is the culmination of Holy Week. Jesus showed us, but note that no hands have, as of yet come down from the sky to help us.
They did so because Jesus Christ died on a Friday and that there was something ultimately good about it. That doesn’t mean good in the sense of “desirable”. As it continues to impact and transform today, I simply ask: Has it impacted you? Days are important to us, and celebrations remind us of why that is a day worth remembering.
Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary, the location outside of Jerusalem’s walls where the crucifixion took place. The repentant heart of the criminal leads Jesus to speak words that we who know what we deserve all long to hear.
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Happy Good Friday, Father, a young friend of mine said to me on Good Friday past year. The tradition of visiting seven churches on Maundy Thursday to pray is practiced most notably in the Philippines and Latin America.
