Written By: REV. CANON DECENCY CHINE

Good Friday is observed during the Holy Week on the Friday proceeding the Easter Sunday. Unlike, Christmas, Good Friday is a day of mourning. Jesus Christ was crucified on this Friday after much torment and sufferings, which eventually led to His death.

So, Christians still, today, lament the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ, which they believe, is of great essence as it brought salvation to humanity.

Traditionally, every year on this day, some devotees, in black clothes, assemble at the church and take out processions as statues and pictures of Jesus Christ at various churches are covered in black clothes as a sign of mourning. This year, however, procession would not hold, because of governments’ order on sit at home as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Moreover, to make the day memorable, some devotional followers of Christ abstain from meat or wine, and where necessary, fast. On the other hand, churches also encourage people to become actively involved in philanthropic activities for the well being of the society.

Nevertheless, it should be observed that for some Christians, fasting and abstinence are officially observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Good Friday, as one may observe, is one of the most holy days in the church calendar, hence, people are required to offer more sacrifices for the love of God.

Good Friday, regardless of our differing, is the day Jesus Christ was crucified and died on the cross. It is also the time Jesus mission on earth was fully accomplished.  Christ’s sufferings and death turned out to be the fulfillment of God’s promise and love for us, that is, to save mankind from the destruction of sin, as well as prepare us for our journey to eternal life, which is Heaven.

In today’s culture, the persecution and the step-by-step suffering of Jesus, starting from His agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, the scourging and the crowing with thorns, up to His tragic journey to wooden cross, would mirror the sufferings of men, the abandoned, the distressed, the lowly, those facing human rights abuses, as well as those experiencing all kinds of emotional, psychological and physical pain.  God is in the midst of those people.   He is always around to comfort them, unlike those who have all the comforts of life, which may be acquired through illegal businesses, graft and corruption.

Surprisingly, God is with the poor in spirit, those who are meek, those who hunger and thirst, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, yet, they are in a miserable state. This is the substance of God Friday. In fact, Jesus wants us to carry our cross and follow Him. One way of doing this is to share what we have with others, particularly those in need, especially this set apart period.

As we observe the Good Friday with sober reflection, we should remember that Christ, the son of God, gave His life for the salvation of mankind. From His examples, we should be prepared to die for our country rather than kill one another in the name of religious fanaticism.

This is the period to shower love on our fellow human beings by bearing our crosses and being our brother’s keeper. With this, humanity will experience a world without hatred, marginalization, oppression, internecine conflicts, murder, kidnappings and religious bigotry.

Moreover, the faithful should use the period of Good Friday to pray fervently for God’s intervention in the myriads of problems facing humanity, especially the coronavirus pandemic, which is currently ravaging the international community.

Coronavirus is causing pandemonium across the globe, with its injection and possible deaths. It is only prayer and commitment to God that will save the world from the ravaging effects of COVID-19.

May this year’s Good Friday open a new chapter of lease of life in the international community. God have mercy.

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