Good Friday 2014

Why is it called Good Friday?

I have heard many answers.

None satisfy.

Jesus, the Word made flesh, God incarnate,

Died on a Friday, 
The day after he shared the Passover meal  
With those closest to him.

Fully human.

So human that he suffered just as we would

Nailed to a cross 
After a brutal flogging.

We recoil in horror

At his death

And think it took so long.

Six hours.

Most crucified took days to die.

Was Pilate's flogging a blessing

That gave a swifter death?

Fully God,

Who had never known death.

All creation gone before had drunk

Of that bitter cup,

But God had not.

God died on that first Good Friday,

As much of God

As could exist in human form.

A maimed, lifeless body was laid in

The cold stone tomb.

Love's breath stilled.

 Heaven wept.

Creation waited. 

Good Friday 2013

Why is it called Good Friday?

I have heard many answers.

None satisfy.

Jesus, the Word made flesh, God incarnate,

Died on Friday.  
The day after he shared the Passover meal  
With those that believed in him.

Fully human.

So human that he suffered agony

Nailed to a cross 
After a brutal flogging.

We recoil in horror

At his death

And think it took so long.

Six hours.

Most crucified took days to die 
Unless they were flogged.

Fully God

Who had never known death.

All God's creation past had drunk

Of that bitter cup,

But God had not.

God died on that first Good Friday,

As much of God

As could exist in human form.

A maimed, lifeless body was laid in

The cold stone tomb.

Creation waited.

Why Good Friday?

  By lepianda

Why is it called Good Friday?

I have heard many answers.

None satisfy.

Jesus, the Word made flesh, God incarnate,

Died on Friday.
The day before he shared the Passover meal
With those that believed in him.

Fully human.

So human that he suffered agony

Nailed to a cross
After a brutal flogging.

We recoil in horror

At his death

And think it took so long.

Six hours.

Most crucified took days to die
Unless they were flogged.

Fully God

Who had never known death.

All God's creation past had drunk

Of that bitter cup,

But God had not.

God died on the first Good Friday,

As much of God

As could exist in human form.

His body was laid in a tomb

As his mother wept.

All creation waited.

Thanksgiving 2011

Photo by khrawlings

And as they were eating, Jesus took bread and blessed it, and broke it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

As we sat down for our Thanksgiving dinner,

Did we remember another meal
 Where many were gathered?

Jesus and his disciples ate their Passover meal
In an upper room on a Thursday.
There Jesus instituted the Communion
We practice today.
When believers gather for this rite
So, too, does the Spirit.
Bread and wine,
Flesh and blood.
Remember the sacrifice.
Remember the man.
Remember the Word made flesh.
Remember God

And

Give thanks.

Good Friday 2011

  By lepianda

Why is it called Good Friday?

I have heard many answers.

None satisfy.

Jesus, the Word made flesh, God incarnate,

The Son of Man,

Died on the Friday after the Passover Meal

Almost two thousand years ago.

Fully human.

So human that he died quickly

After a beating that

Sent his body into collapse.

We recoil in horror

At his death

And think it took so long.

Six hours.

Most crucified took days to die.

Fully God

Who had never known death.

All his creation past had drunk

Of that bitter cup,

But he had not.

God died that day,

As much of God

As could exist in human form.

Laid in a tomb

As his mother wept.

All creation waited.

For?

Peace I Leave With You

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Jesus speaks these words
On his last night with his disciples
After the passover supper.
He knows what is to come.
Judas has left to betray him.
Christ seeks to reassure his followers,
But he also speaks to us.
In times of turmoil,
In times of war,
In times when death hovers,
In times of sorrow,
Jesus offers peace,
Peace of the spirit.
A serenity that can buffer us
From the horrors of this world.
We cannot escape life's events,
But the peace of God is ours
If we believe.

Photo by audreyjm529