THE SIGNIFICANCE OF Good Friday.
WRITER LUCY. DAMIAN
INTRODUCTION
As Christians the world over mark Easter, that is, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, Lucy Damian of our News and current Affairs Department writes on the significance of the celebration.
Christianity no doubt has been known to be one of the major religions in the world and with adherents believing strongly in the Trinity, that is God the father, the son and the Holy Spirit.
Consequently, one of the major activities of the Christiandom is the marking of the Easter, usually the climax of the lent season.
Indeed it is necessary to say that the degree of celebration by the Christians may vary from one denomination to the other.
However, one thing that binds the Christians together remains the Trinity and of course, the believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
It is on this note that the need for sober reflection especially at this period of annual Easter celebration cannot be over emphasized .
Giod friday is therefore a Christian holiday commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary.
It is observed during the Holy week as part of the Pascal Tridum on the Friday preceeding Easter Sunday and may coincide with the Jewish observance of the Passover .
Many Christians around the world observe Good Friday in which commemorate Jesus Christ passion, crucifixion and death which is a day after maundy Thursday.
For Catholics whose Good Friday is seen as a day of penance, adherents aged fourteenth and older observe the law of abstinence by refraining from eating meat on Fridays during Lents including on Good Friday as meat is seen as a worthy sacrifice linked with feast and celebrations .
For Roman Catholics, there’s no mass on Good Friday but usually a service with Holy Communion, prayer before the blessed Sacrament, as well as Stations of the Cross by many churches.
Celebrating Jesus ‘s death does not seem a logical reason as Christians believe that the result of His death were all in good faith.
Though the name is not mentioned in the Bible, the religious text tells the story of how Jesus Christ was beaten and mocked by Roman soldiers before being made to carry a cross to the side of His subsequent crucifixion .
In several spectrum of Christianity including the eastern orthodox, Anglicans and Catholics ,Good Friday is observed by some Christians by attending church services and fasting among other programs.
It is pertinent to note that Celebration of GoodFriday ,constitute an essential part of forty Penitential period called lent which for some Christians begins with ash Wednesday and marked with the Spreading of Ash reminding one of the nothingness of man before God as epitomized by the word, You As Ash and To Ash You will Return.
The last week of lent is termed the Holy week and begins with palm Sunday which commemorate Christ’s triumphant entry as king into Jerusalem to suffer and die at the completion of his earthly mission.
The last three days of the Holy week called the Tridum ,Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday are so important on account of the centrality of the event celebrated for salvation of mankind .
The common name, Paschal mystery joins the whole mystery of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ .
Having immense significance for Christians in particular and mankind in general ,Easter draws the minds of Christians to the event of the Jewish Passover as the period to reflect on the power of the blood of Jesus Christ.
This calls for sober reflection as Christians solemnly honor the way Jesus Christ suffered and died for humanity .
Since the period is commemorate Christ heroic and sacrificial death and resurrection. Christians are challenged to exercise selfless service for their neighbors and society at large.
At a time like this when the world is plagued by so much economic, political, religious and environmental challenges orchestrated by selfishness and greed, this Easter should offers Christians opportunity to realize that there is more merit in giving than receiving, loving than hating as well as forgiving than holding grudges against each other.
The need to follow the footsteps of Jesus Christ who gave all for mankind therefore becomes imperative.
The necessity of self Denial in our day to day lives is re appraised against the backdrop of a world that craves for pleasure at the expense of rectitude and conscience.
Let’s rededicate our lives to the creator and see him as the Supreme being to enjoy divine presence in the society.
Since Easter has come at the present global health challenge Christ should be seen as the Supreme being who has the capacity to address all challenges confronting mankind.
This is why both Christians and non Christians should rely on God for solution to the dreaded COVID nineteen, recognizing that there is power in the blood of Jesus Christ.
There is also the need for all to reflect soberly on the present challenges facing the country and seek divine presence in solving the numerous problems facing them with complete trust it the Almighty.
On the whole, it is evident that the end of the time is near, hence everyone must leave to please God by not seeing the Easter celebration as a mere annual ritual.
That commentary on the Significance of Good Friday was written by Lucy Damian of our News and current Affairs Department.
