Today is Good Friday. It is observed during the Holy Week on the Friday before the Easter Sunday. Unlike, Christmas, Good Friday is a day of mourning, as Jesus Christ was crucified on this Friday after much torment and sufferings, which eventually led to His death.
So, Christians today lament the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ, which brought salvation to humanity.
Traditionally, every year on this day, some devotees, in black clothes, assemble at churches and statues and pictures of Jesus Christ at various churches are covered with black or purple clothes as a sign of mourning.
Again most Christians abstain from meat, wine and merriment while churches also encourage people to become actively involved in philanthropic activities for the well being of the society.
Good Friday is one of the most holy days in the church calendar, hence, people are required to pray and sacrifice more for the love of God and humanity.
The crucifixion of Jesus Christ on Good Friday also marked the time Jesus’ mission on earth was fully accomplished because Christ’s sufferings and death were the fulfillment of God’s promise and love for mankind which saved mankind from the destruction of sin, as well as prepare Christians for journey to eternal life.
Reflection on 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, to His tragic journey to the wooden cross, should be a wakeup call to Christians to mirror the sufferings of men who are abandoned, the distressed, the lowly in the society facing human rights abuses, as well as those experiencing all kinds of emotional, psychological and physical pain.
No doubt God is always with the poor and meek in spirit, those who hunger and thirst, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers and those who are persecuted for righteousness sake. These are the basic principles and hallmark of Good Friday. In fact, Jesus wants christians to carry their cross and follow Him. One way of doing this is to share what we have with others, particularly those in need.
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 the good of the society rather than exploit, persecute, suppress or even kill others for any reason.
This is the period to shower love on fellow human beings by being our brother’s keeper and assisting others when necessary. With these, humanity will experience a world without hatred, marginalization, oppression, conflicts, murder, kidnappings and religious bigotry.
Moreover, the faithful should use the period of Good Friday to pray fervently for God’s interventions in the myriads of problems facing humanity, especially insecurity, economic hardship , poverty and hunger which is currently ravaging Nigeria and other countries of the world .
The challenge of insecurity in Nigeria needs divine intervention and Good Friday provides opportunity for Nigerians to seek the face of God.
May this year’s Good Friday open a new chapter of lease of life in Nigeria and across the world . God have mercy.
Written by SIR OBIORA OKEKE