Good Friday 2025

 Good Friday 2025

Today we gather on this solemn and sacred day, Good Friday, to remember the sacrifice and crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ.  The air is heavy with the sorrow of what has happened—the suffering and sacrifice of the One who knew no sin but bore our sins, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. As we reflect on the dramatic reading we've just heard, we are drawn into the depths of this unparalleled event—the crucifixion of Jesus. How can we fathom such love? It is a love that reaches beyond our understanding, a love that does not walk away from pain, betrayal, and even death.

At Good Friday we witness the stark, chilling reality of our Lord’s crucifixion. The scene is one of deep sorrow.  Jesus, the innocent victim, is condemned to death, stripped of His dignity, mocked, and nailed to a cross. Yet, even in His agony, Jesus utters words of forgiveness, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). This stunning display of mercy teaches us that even in our darkest moments, there is hope. In this act of forgiveness Jesus lives out what he has asked of us: Love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you. How many times should I forgive – 7 times – I tell you 70 times 7.

But why do we call this day "Good"? How can we refer to a day of crucifixion as "good"? The answer lies in the promise of the resurrection.  Good Friday leads us to the triumphant joy of Easter Sunday. While Good Friday invites us to enter into the depths of human suffering it does not leave us there.  In the depths of suffering of the cross that we are shown the depths of God’s love— A love so deep that it willingly embraces suffering for the sake of our salvation.

Today, as we stand at the foot of the cross, we ask ourselves:  What does this sacrifice mean for us? How are we called to respond to this ultimate act of love? As we meditate on the cross, we are invited to reflect on our own lives, our own struggles, and our own sinfulness. 

The cross calls us to turn back to God and embrace our own suffering in light of His sacrifice. Let us remember that Jesus did not carry His cross alone. He was aided by Simon of Cyrene, who helped him bear the burden. Each of us is called to be a Simon in the lives of those who are suffering.  We are called to reach out and lend a hand, to share the weight of others' suffering.  Maybe it’s a neighbor who is lonely, a friend in despair, or someone suffering from illness. 

Good Friday challenges us through Christ’s love to be Christ to one another. As Jesus reminded us last night in our Maundy Thursday Gospel reading: Love one another as I have loved you. As we focus on the cross today, let us do so with hearts open to the profound mystery of this day. 

As we kneel before the cross of Christ, let us contemplate the cost of our salvation and recommit ourselves to living lives that reflect Christ’s love, mercy, and compassion in a world that so desperately needs it. May this Good Friday lead us into a deeper understanding of the depths of God's love, and may it prepare us to celebrate the joy of the resurrection with renewed hearts ready to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ. 

Amen.