On Good Friday

Today we mark the day Jesus died for all our sins. It is a somber day, a time for prayer, fasting, and reflection. Hope is lost.

If you don't know much about Good Friday, here are some resources and posts for you to read (and even if you are a good Christian, we all keep learning):

Basically,

On Good Friday, the entire Church fixes her gaze on the Cross at Calvary. Each member of the Church tries to understand at what cost Christ has won our redemption. In the solemn ceremonies of Good Friday, in the Adoration of the Cross, in the chanting of the 'Reproaches', in the reading of the Passion, and in receiving the pre-consecrated Host, we unite ourselves to our Savior, and we contemplate our own death to sin in the Death of our Lord.

The Church - stripped of its ornaments, the altar bare, and with the door of the empty tabernacle standing open - is as if in mourning. In the fourth century the Apostolic Constitutions described this day as a 'day of mourning, not a day of festive joy,' and this day was called the 'Pasch (passage) of the Crucifixion.'

The liturgical observance of this day of Christ's suffering, crucifixion and death evidently has been in existence from the earliest days of the Church. No Mass is celebrated on this day, but the service of Good Friday is called the Mass of the Presanctified because Communion (in the species of bread) which had already been consecrated on Holy Thursday is given to the people .

Traditionally, the organ is silent from Holy Thursday until the Alleluia at the Easter Vigil , as are all bells or other instruments, the only music during this period being unaccompanied chant.

The omission of the prayer of consecration deepens our sense of loss because Mass throughout the year reminds us of the Lord's triumph over death, the source of our joy and blessing. The desolate quality of the rites of this day reminds us of Christ's humiliation and suffering during his Passion.

The Catholic Encyclopedia has a very informational entry on Good Friday.

Fish Eaters: Good Friday

Catholic News Service: 'Way,' 1st led by Pope Benedict XVI during pontificate, has global reach

AFP: Thousands commemorate Good Friday in Jerusalem

AP: Pilgrims Retrace Jesus' Route in Jerusalem

HERE is devotion:
AP: Devotees Nailed to Cross in Philippines

-Tony Snow: Testing our faith
-Mark Alexander: Resurrection Day 2006: Hidden liberty
-Chuck Colson: Secrets, lies, and the resurrection

-Ramesh Ponnuru (from 2004)on The Passion of The Christ: A Movie and Its Meaning

And Stop the ACLU notes that Jesus dying for us on Good Friday "is what true freedom is about." Amen. (Visit to read the post and view others---open trackback.)

Over at The Corner, Kathryn Lopez notes that it was 14 April and Good Friday when " when John Wilkes Booth shot President Lincoln in 1865."

Big Dog comments on The More Things Change . . .

Gribbit's Word: Good Friday

Musing Minds has a beautiful picture and a reminder here.

The Uncooperative Blogger has a post full of Bible verses, information about the Passion, and lots more.

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