Good Friday, 10 April 2020

Greeting

Blessed be the name of the Lord our God. Who redeems us from sin and death.

For us and for the salvation of all, Christ became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. Blessed be the name of the Lord.

Opening prayer

“Almighty God, your Son Jesus Christ was lifted high upon the cross so that he might draw the whole world to himself. Grant that we, who glory in this death for our salvation, may also glory in his call to take up our cross and follow him; through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Hymn: “When I survey the Wondrous Cross” (StF 287)

• When I survey the wondrous cross On which the Prince of glory died, My richest gain I count but loss, And pour contempt on all my pride.
• Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,      Save in the death of Christ my God! All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to His blood.
• See from His head, His hands, His feet, Sorrow and love flow mingled down! Did e’er such love and sorrow meet, Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
• Were the whole realm of nature mine, That were a present far too small; Love so amazing, so divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all.

Questions for Reflection

The Good Friday tradition in Northumberland each year is for pilgrims to carry the cross over the bay to Holy Island.  Pilgrims walk with bare feet in the water for the two-mile crossing, the person’s unshod feet meant to feel every sensation- cold, discomfort, even pain- to remember Christ’s walk in Jerusalem.  Perhaps in these days, we are feeling especially unshod and vulnerable.  Where is your own sensation of pain- physical, emotional, spiritual- the sharpest today?   Try to picture Jesus bearing it with you.

 Pray for those who walk on their own, are living in isolation, detainment, prison, those who do not have companionship, do not share the tenderness of human touch—that they may imagine Jesus carrying his cross alongside them. “From noon on, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon…” (Matthew 27:45)

At times in life, we know darkness.  Remember the desolation of Good Friday, when there was no light in the sky.  Remember those who live in darkness—of depression, fear, anxiety, grief.  Acknowledge the darkness around you, within you.  Pray for God’s light to shine into the dark places, remembering the promise that no darkness can overcome it. 

   ***

“[From the cross] Jesus saw his mother and disciple whom he loved standing beside her, [and] he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother” (John 19:26-27).

At the cross Jesus takes strangers and makes them family. Over the past few weeks have you encountered someone, previously a stranger, who has shared a smile, a wave, an act of kindness? As we stand at the foot of the cross, whom might Jesus be calling you to view with different eyes – no longer as a stranger, but as a neighbour, someone for whom Jesus died?

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“At three o’clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why you have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34).

We don’t fully know the anguish that people carry inside. Pray for all who are experiencing turmoil or tragedy, that in their suffering, they may know the closeness of God through Jesus.

   ***

 “Then Joseph brought a linen cloth, and taking down the body, wrapped it in the linen cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been hewn out of the rock. He then rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Jesus saw where the body was laid” (Mark 15:46-47).

As the friends of Jesus wept over his body, death seemed cruel and final. Hope seemed lost. Bring before God those situations of endings, of finality, of death.

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 “For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18)

If we were able to gather for a procession with a cross today, picture it in your neighbourhood, or a community you know well. Imagine the cross casting it shadow on estates, bus routes, shops, pavements, gardens, schools, hospitals… Which places would you want its loving, healing shadow to touch?

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“And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb” (Mark 16:2).

We trust that the crucifixion is not the end of the story. Even in the pain of this story, even in the distress of our times, trust that the light will come, that God wishes new life, resurrected life, for all of us.

Prayer

Jesus, crucified and living Saviour, we are huddled in doubt and fear like the disciples of long ago. We do not want to be separated; we do not want to be forsaken; we do not want to remain in sadness; we do not want to follow you on the way of the cross. But even as we know you call us to follow you into brokenness and death, we also know that you have gone before – you have faced danger and overcome doubt and death. As we remember the Good Friday events of long ago, we are brought closer to each other and feel your presence with us. We know that we can follow you because your promise abides with us. This promise we remember as we pray together in your words…”  (Lord’s Prayer)