Cherry Blossom Postcard by Sylvestermouse |
I woke up this morning myself to a gloriously beautiful day. Spring has truly arrived in my backyard and our region. After days of heavy rain and flooding, I am grateful to see a lovely blue sky and blooming trees. As I stood in my window looking out at the beauty of the day, I couldn't help but think it doesn't quite seem right that it would be so magnificent on the day Christians commemorate the crucifixion of Christ. Frankly, those harsh stormy days we have so recently endured would seem more appropriate.
Many refer to Good Friday as Black Friday. In my humble opinion, either is apt.
Good Friday or Black Friday
I have always found it interesting to hear what others think, how they view the religious holiday referred to as Good Friday on calendars.
Easter Sunday
Good Friday is always followed by Easter Sunday, the day we celebrate the resurrection of Christ from the grave and His ascension into heaven.
Regardless of the title you apply to today, I sincerely hope you will all have a wonderful Great Friday and a glorious Easter Sunday! We can't have one without the other.
Romans 1:16
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Thank you Cynthia for posting this today. For Christians this feast (or Holy Day) is one that should have lots of meaning. For many that don't want to know or care about Christian feasts days, it is just another holiday.
ReplyDeleteThere is depth, beauty and truth in what is commemorated on Good Friday and it is the basis for many Christian religions. Without Good Friday, there is no Easter and no salvation story....it was the most necessary part of Christ's Life, that He should also die, so that we will merit eternal life in His Kingdom. God Bless and Happy Easter......
Wishing you and your family a blessed Easter too Olivia!
DeleteLike your waking up to a beautiful, sunny day today, Cynthia, it's hard for me to go about a normal Friday without taking time to ponder the full significance of Christ's crucifixion. It's Resurrection morn and what it means to my (our) salvation that I truly look forward to. Wishing you and your family a truly blessed Easter weekend!
ReplyDeleteThank you Susan! I pray you and your family will have a truly blessed Easter as well.
DeleteI have been thinking about the significance of this day frequently throughout the day, beginning last night. I have been hoping and praying the rumors circulating about a possible crucifixion today of Father Tom Uzhunnalil, who was captured by Islamic extremists early this month, are false, as his Indian order has said in trying to refute the rumor. Nevertheless, Father Tom has been tortured for about three weeks, and I still pray that he may be sustained and comforted by Christ as he suffers, and that he may know the fellowship of Christ's own sufferings no matter what else takes place today. I'm hoping that there will be good news after Resurrection Day that Father Tom is still alive. Rescue would be even better. Yet Father Tom is only one person who has suffered at the hands of those who hate Christians. It is hard to believe that in this century people are still dying as Jesus did, suffering the physical pain he experienced. Fortunately, because Christ died on that first Good (or black) Friday, those who are called to suffer and die for him today will also know the power of his resurrection and be with Him in Paradise. I continue to pray for the persecuted church and that God will spare our countries from falling into the hands of these terrorists.
ReplyDeleteBarbara, interesting that you should specifically mention Father Tom. He was very much on my own heart and mind as I wrote this post, before and after.
DeleteThank you for this lovely post. Today I remind myself about what Jesus stood for; forgiveness, tolerance, and kindness, even in the face of hate. We are all students of this message, learning to do better. He reminds us today that, no matter what, the power of love and the power of good is what evaporates the power of darkness. Only love can work. Cycle of hate and hurt turn into centuries of what came first, who hurt who, and I'm doing this because they did it to me. It's a vicious go-no-where wheel that's been ridden for centuries. Today, as we remember Jesus carrying his cross to his own death, we remember what true love really means. It's unconditional, it's all forgiving.
DeleteSorry Cynthia, I put my comment as a reply to Barbara's but it was meant as a stand alone :) - half asleep!
ReplyDeleteThat is no problem Barbara! Your words are a beautiful message and reminder for all of us. I completely understand being half asleep and how easy it is to hit "reply". Thank you for your precious words.
ReplyDeleteThank you Cynthia :)
DeleteI had a good Good Friday. :) And a very busy one. Thank you for posting such a lovely reminder of what Good Friday means to so many. And pleased that you had such a lovely bright and sunny day to enjoy this Good Friday.
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