Good Friday is the day, also marked as a holiday, in which Christian and Catholic churches commemorate the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ.
The week leading up to Easter Sunday is called the Holy Week. It starts after the end of the 40-day Lenten period. Good Friday takes place every year on the Friday of this week, two days before Easter.
While Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter, Good Friday serves an important part in the story of Christ essentially to Easter celebrations, as there cannot be a resurrection with a death.
According to Gabriel Radle, assistant professor of theology at the University of Notre Dame, “If Easter is the celebration of Christ’s resurrection from the tomb, Good Friday is the day in which the church commemorates everything from his condemnation to his passion.”
Why Is Today Called Good Friday?
Good Friday is the day Jesus Christ died and according to Radle, the “good” in the death of Jesus Christ is in Christian ideology, where his death represents the redemption of humanity, as the celebrations of Easter wouldn’t be possible without what happened on Good Friday.
“Christ is offering himself on the cross. It’s an outpouring of God’s love by offering himself on the cross, but it’s also not something that ends at the cross.”
“It’s not just the commemoration of Christ’s passion for the sake of focusing on the agony of it all, but the agony has a purpose. That’s God’s gift of redemption to the world, which finds fulfillment in in the resurrection,” he said.
Abstinence & Fasting: Can Meat Be Eaten On Good Friday?
There are all many practices done on Good Friday throughout the world for worshipers and believers to contemplate and commemorate the death of Jesus Christ. Some of them include repentance, confession of sins and renewing devotion to God. Faithfuls might also choose to fast or abstain from eating some type of food or meat or abstaining from whatever they might have liked to do.
In some churches, worshipers will also perform passion plays in which they recreate the events of the passion of Christ.
Also, the normal catholic Mass is not held on Good Friday; instead, readings of the Gospel, veneration of the cross, and Holy Communion are done.
Best Good Friday Prayer Wishes, Quotes & Messages
As you greet others on this Good Friday—whether online, at home or at your church’s Good Friday service, here are 35 thoughtful and encouraging Good Friday wishes to share from Parade.
1. “May we remember what today is all about.”
2. “Let’s consider Christ’s sacrifice as we put others first today.”
3. “May the sacrifice that Jesus made fill you with gratitude and peace.”
4. “Wishing you a peaceful Good Friday.”
5. “May we reflect on God’s great love on this Good Friday.”
6. “Let this Good Friday remind us of how much love God has for us.”
7. “Praying that you will find comfort and joy on this Good Friday.”
8. “May this Good Friday bring new meaning to your life.”
9. “May the message of the cross be a source of comfort for you.”
10. “Let’s rejoice in God’s saving grace.”
11. “Hope you are feeling blessed this Good Friday.”
12. “We give thanks to God for everything he has done for us.”
13. “May contemplating Good Friday deepen your faith and closeness to God.”
14. “Wishing you a blessed Good Friday.”
15. “Hoping you find strength as you look to what was done on the cross.”
16. “Let’s leave our burdens at the cross and praise our heavenly Father.”
17. “We rejoice in God’s love as we reflect on the day.”
18. “Let’s humbly give thanks for the sacrifice Christ made.”
19. “Let the joy in your heart overflow to others.”
20. “On this day, I hope you are filled with peace and love.”
21. “Let God’s mercy and grace spill over to the relationships you have with others.”
22. “Hoping this Good Friday is joyous and meaningful to you.”
23. “Wishing you a day filled with reflection and gratitude.”
24. “May this Good Friday bring you hope and healing.”
25. “Blessings to you on this special day of gratitude.”
26. “May the love of Jesus give you hope and faith.”
27. “Let’s consider how undeserving we are as we give mercy to others.”
28. “Hoping you feel how special you are in God’s eyes.”
29. “Let’s give thanks to Jesus for taking on our sins.”
30. “Wishing you peace and joy on this Good Friday.”
31. “May we never forget the sacrifice Christ made.”