Good Friday 2009 ~ How Marvelous the Cross We Bear ~ by Betty Alexis

In the first reading, Isaiah talks about the fact that God's servant was destined to suffer for the sins of the world, but would eventually have victory over sin and darkness. We get the feeling of sadness and joy simultaneously. Sadness - because God's servant endured extreme suffering at the hands of his oppressors; and joy - because, had it not been for this suffering, we would not be able to look forward today for everlasting life.

The prophet Isaiah discusses the price God's servant has to pay for the sins of mankind - mine and yours! The sins we have committed, and those we are yet to commit! It is normal for us to feel sad when we think of the degrading way God's servant was treated, and for no valid reason! But silently, Isaiah tells of God's servant enduring his "conviction" in order that we all would have life. O' the Cross we must bear!

The Cross we must bear becomes more real in the second reading. Good Friday should have a profound significance in the lives of all Christians, as we relive the path of Jesus each year, suffering and triumphing with Him. The author of Hebrews implores us to be mindful of the "Cross" we carry, and beseeches us to carry it with grace and humility.

We know that Jesus suffered unbearably because when He thought He could bear no more, He "cried out" to the Father. However, the writer tells us that Jesus learned obedience to the Father through the suffering He endured. We too should take pattern from Jesus and use our sorrows, pains, heartaches and sufferings to learn to be more obedient to the law that has been laid down for us to follow. In other words, we need to bear our "Cross" with grace. O' the Cross we must bear!

While we heed the call to bear the "Cross," we must continue to keep our eyes on the real prize - salvation, everlasting life and the resurrection. Re-living the passion of Jesus Christ was rather touching and brought to mind how utterly fragile is the human life. The message was a reminder of how thankful we should be that Jesus in the flesh was stricken and "chose" to die for your sins and mine.

Although very solemn, the Good Friday service held a world of promise as we, individually and collectively, recommitted our lives to Jesus Christ and look forward to our lives with Him in eternity. Let us bear our "Cross" with passion and conviction!


~ Good Friday, April 10, 2009 ~