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Did you ever wonder why the day when
the whole Christendom commemorates the death of Jesus it is called Good
Friday? What makes it good?
Because it is birthday
celebration. What?
Before I proceed, let me tell you something
about today. At 5:00 this morning (March
29), I was awakened by a call. The first
words I heard from the phone were “Happy birthday, sir!” Yes, it’s my birthday today. I was thankful for that call because it
pushed me to wake up, go to the bathroom, change clothes and get ready for the 6
am Via Crucis (Way of the Cross).
So, today is a (good) Friday for me.
Now going back to the question, What makes Good Friday good? There are several explanations to this but
allow me to share a few, which are related to my personal celebration today.
There are two
theological reflections to explain why the day of Jesus’ death is called Good
Friday.
1.
Birth of the Church. Good Friday is the birth
of the church. This is how the Bible
narrates in John 19:32-34:
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So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other
who had been crucified with him;
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33
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but when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did
not break his legs.
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34
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But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once
there came out blood and water.
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Water is symbolic in this passage. It refers to the Sacraments or the
Church. Thus, the death of Jesus marks
the birth of the Church.
2.
The Church is entrusted to her mother. Jesus knew that
his physical presence would affect in the short-term towards the apostles and
disciples. Though He promised that the Holy
Spirit will guide them, he also made it sure that they were under the care of a
human hands and heart. This is the role
of Mother Mary. This is how the Bible
explain in Jn. 19: 26-27.
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When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing
near, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son!"
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27
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Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother!" And
from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.
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In this passage, the beloved disciple
represented the Church. Jesus, in this
episode, entrusted the Church to her mother.
Thus, Good Friday is indeed a good day
because it is a celebration of the Church’s birth and the commemoration on the official role of Mary as the mother of the Church.
On the personal note, it is a (good)
Friday because I am with the church in celebrating her birth while I also
celebrate mine. I am one with the Church
in honoring her mother while I also thank my own mother for delivering me into
this world.
May the celebration of Good Friday
inspire us to follow Jesus and at the same time encourage us to be faithful in serving Him
through the Church with Mary as our guide and protector.
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