A Day of Suffering and Compassion
Jo Kavalam
Good Friday is, first and foremost, a day of immense suffering. Jesus endured brutal scourging, mockery, the heavy burden of the cross, and finally, a slow and agonizing death on Calvary. The Passion narrative does not conceal the cruelty and injustice He faced. As we meditate on the Stations of the Cross or kneel in silence before the crucifix, our hearts are stirred with grief. It is a sorrow not merely historical but deeply personal—for it was for our sins that He suffered.
"He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.” — Isaiah 53:5
"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” — Luke 23:34
"The nails would not have held Him to the cross had love not held Him there.” — St. Catherine of Siena
A Spiritual Joy
Though it may seem paradoxical, Good Friday is not only a day of sorrow but also one of spiritual joy. Jesus’ death was not a defeat but the fulfillment of a divine plan. Through the cross, He crushed the power of sin and death.
"When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all people to myself.” — John 12:32
"The cross of Christ is the true ground and chief cause of Christian hope.” — St. Leo the Great
The victory of the Resurrection began on Good Friday. What appeared to be the darkest hour was, in truth, the dawn of redemption.
No Crown Without the Cross
The cross is not the final word—it leads to the crown. There can be no Easter Sunday without Good Friday. The joy of the Resurrection is made possible only through the pain of the Passion.
"If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.” — Luke 9:23
"In the evening of life, we will be judged on love.” — St. John of the Cross
When we face trials, rejection, or sorrow, we are walking the path of Christ. And just as He rose again, we are promised that our suffering, too, will give way to joy.
From Despair to Hope
Good Friday gives meaning to human suffering and despair. For the one who feels abandoned, the cross reveals a Savior who was abandoned too. For the one burdened by guilt, the cross is a place of mercy.
"My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” — Matthew 27:46
"The cross will not crush you; if its weight makes you stagger, its power will also sustain you.” — St. Padre Pio
The silence of this day is not the silence of defeat, but the silence of divine mystery at work.
A Journey Toward Holiness
Good Friday is also a call to conversion and holiness. As we gaze upon the crucified Christ, we are invited to lay our sins at the foot of the cross.
"We know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with.” — Romans 6:6
"Jesus does not demand great actions from us, but simply surrender and gratitude.” — St. Thérèse of Lisieux
Jesus did not die merely for the world, but for each one of us. His sacrifice becomes the turning point in every life that responds to His love.
The Story Continues
The story of Jesus does not end on Good Friday. It moves forward—with the quiet hope of Holy Saturday—into the radiant joy of Easter Sunday. The cross leads to the empty tomb. And that same journey continues in the life of every believer.
Let us unite our sorrows with His, our struggles with His Passion, and our lives with His redeeming love.
To the Suffering Heart: A Personal Word
To those overwhelmed by pain, addiction, depression, or even thoughts of ending their life—Good Friday speaks directly to you. Jesus, too, experienced abandonment and agony. But His story did not end at the cross—and neither does yours.
"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain.” — Revelation 21:4
"Do not abandon yourselves to despair. We are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song.” — St. John Paul II
Do not give up—God has not given up on you. Through the Resurrection, Christ offers each of us a path out of despair and into new life, healing, and freedom.