Today is Good Friday. It is observed during the Holy Week on the Friday before the Easter Sunday. Unlike, Christmas, Good Friday is a day of mourning, as Jesus Christ was crucified on this Friday after much torment and sufferings.
So, Christians today lament the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ, which brought salvation to humanity.
Every year on this day, various churches cover strategic points with black or purple clothes as a sign of mourning.
Again most Christians abstain from meat, wine and merriment while churches also encourage people to become actively involved in charity to touch the life of others.
The crucifixion of Jesus Christ on Good Friday also marked the time Jesus’ mission on earth was fully accomplished because Christ’s sufferings and death were the fulfillment of God’s promise and love for mankind which saved mankind from the destruction of sin, as well as prepare Christians for journey to eternal life.
Reflection on the persecution and the step-by-step suffering of Jesus, starting from His agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, the scourging and the crowning with thorns, to His tragic journey to the wooden cross, should be a wakeup call to Christians to mirror the sufferings of people who are abandoned, the distressed, the lowly in the society, those facing human rights abuses, as well as those experiencing all kinds of emotional, psychological and physical pain.
God is always with the poor and meek in spirit, those who hunger and thirst, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers and those who are persecuted for righteousness sake. These are the basic principles and hallmark of Good Friday. Jesus wants Christians to carry their cross and follow Him. One way of doing this is to share what we have with others, particularly those in need.
As we observe the Good Friday with sober reflection, we should remember that Christ, gave His life for the salvation of mankind. From His examples, we should be prepared to die for the good of the society rather than exploit, persecute, suppress or even kill others for any reason.
This is the period to show love to others by being our brother’s keeper and assisting others when necessary. With these, humanity will experience a world without hatred, marginalization, oppression, conflicts, murder, kidnappings and religious bigotry.
Christians should use the period of Good Friday to pray for God’s interventions in the myriads of problems facing humanity, especially insecurity, economic hardship, poverty and hunger which is currently ravaging Nigeria and other countries of the world.
The challenge of insecurity in Nigeria needs divine intervention and Good Friday provides opportunity for Nigerians to seek the face of God.
Ndi Anambra should use this period of Holy Week to pray for the smooth conduct of the November eight gubernatorial election. May this year’s Good Friday bring a new lease of life to Nigeria and across the world. May God continue to hear our prayers, Amen.
