The catharsis of Good Friday

Today’s Readings: Psalm 22; Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Hebrews 10:16-25; John 18:1-19:1-42

I do not like saying goodbye. I have preached about it and written about it before. And at its heart, Good Friday is a day of saying “goodbye”. It is not that Jesus dies over and over each year. Rather, on Good Friday, we remember the tragedy of Jesus’ crucifixion and death. We remember the heartache that is connected to sacrifice. Good Friday is a process of releasing the vestiges of what we have known so that we move forward into what is next.

Diana Butler Bass has a Substack that I receive and sometimes read. She assembled an assortment of poems for Good Friday Diana Butler Bass has a Substack that I receive and sometimes read. She assembled an assortment of poems for Good Friday this year, inspired by the final seven sayings of Jesus:

·      "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34)

·      "Today you will be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:43)

·      "Woman, behold your son. Son, behold your mother" (John 19:26-27)

·      "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46)

·      "I thirst" (John 19:28)

·      "It is finished!" (John 19:30).

·      "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit" (Luke 23:46).

Perhaps you have seen or experienced other reflections on these phrases on Good Friday. It was a meaningful bit of time for me to sit and reflect through a different lens of spirituality and creativity this morning. If you have time today, I invite you to reflect upon these works shared by Bass and the last seven phrases of Jesus as he lived among us.

Here’s what hit me hardest – saying goodbye means looking back at the regrets (as I pondered the poem “Phase One” on forgiveness by Dilruba Ahmed) and it also means cherishing the love (as I sat with the reflection called “Mother and Son” by Rosemery Wahtola Trommer). As I reached the end of the last work, “Love Letter from the Afterlife” written by Andrea Gibson (who died of cancer late last year), I wept. I wept for the death of Jesus. I wept for losses of life within my own circle. I wept for those I love who are still here. I just wept.

I pray that you have the grace and ability to stay tender today. For it is in our vulnerability that we grow strong. It is in the tears that we can feel love most deeply. Let us remain centered on that this Holy Week – so that we may live fully into the neverending love that God has for us - and invite others to share in it, too.

With God's love,

Katherine+

Reflection and Challenge

Sit with the last seven phrases of Jesus mentioned above. Listen for how the Holy Spirit is stirring you on this Good Friday. Take note of the feelings you have. Give yourself the space to feel and be, and give thanks to God.