Holy Week: Good Friday

Lectionary readings for today are:  Isaiah 52:13-53:12,Psalm 22,Hebrews 10:16-25,  Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9, John 18:1-19:42


The week comes to a close with the crucifixion of Jesus.  But as we know, this is not the end, but the beginning of something more wondrous.

While reading the gospel of John for today, I searched for a passage, but it was not there.  (Which should tell you that I don't know my Gospels all that well!) Although all the gospels tell the story, they are each unique in their own way and the phrase that I was seeking is not found in John, but in Luke 23:  32 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”  As he is crucified, Jesus asks for forgiveness, not for himself, but for humankind. During a time of agony, he thinks of others.  And not just any "others" but those who are sending him to death.

 How many slights or sins against you are not the result of maliciousness, but of thoughtlessness?  What can be seen as cruelty is often the result of a careless tongue. On this day of darkness, can we act Christlike and forgive?  Can we cast away the burdens that weigh us down and move into the light of absolution?  And if we cannot forgive someone, can we forgive ourselves of our own errors and imperfections?

To err is human, to forgive divine.  How better to honor Christ than to use Good Friday as a day of forgiveness?

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