Some theologians or philosophers may have already written this since ideas really just circulate. That being said, I believe it is worth repeating here in this season of Lent.
Black Friday is a secular term for the day after Thanksgiving. It is a day that retail owners anticipate with baited breath all year long. It is the day that can make a difference between the life and death of a business, especially those selling items for the Christmas holiday. The owners hope to be able to say their balances are in "the black" indicating good financial standing. In the past, traditionally, the day was limited to one day a year so people looked forward to it. Black Friday was the official start to holiday shopping when cities lit up their holiday lights in town. Families would bring their children to see the lighting ceremony and then go shopping. Crowds were reasonably peaceful and joyful.
Now, "black Friday" has extended hours even into the evening hours of Thanksgiving interrupting the gathering of many American families who gather for the food feast. Black Friday is a long day of stressful work for many, traffic jams, and disappointed shoppers. In recent years, people have died as shoppers crowd into the doors that often open out instead of in. Black Friday is a day of mixed reactions. Many avoid the roar of the crowd and others thrive with it. In a weak economy, the business reports often show red.
Good Friday is a religious holiday. It comes one day a year also. Shops remain open because Good Friday comes just before Easter Sunday The day is somber for many. Even those who do not recognize the holiday are familiar with the name. It is a day when people of faith, and those who know history, remember the death of Jesus, the Christ. Some would question why it is called Good Friday. The question would be valid. Although most do not state that they are celebrating Good Friday, it is a day of ceremony, ritual, family, and traditions. Since it is a day of fasting, food is not a primary focus unless one focuses on the absence of food.
Christians venerate a cross on Good Friday in remembrance of the cross upon which Jesus, the Christ died. A cross is associated with death since it was a typical form of capital punishment at one time. Jesus, the Christ was crucified for the crime of blasphemy.
For Catholics, it is the only day of the year when a Mass anywhere in the world is not celebrated. Communion is given but the hosts were consecrated during the Holy Thursday Mass the previous evening. The dates reflected on the calender may differ but the day does not. Good Friday is always on a Friday.
It is a somber day of remembrance. Churches are devoid of flowers and color on this day, part of the Triduum, as Lent ends the Wednesday before Holy Thursday.
So why is Good Friday called Good Friday when we remember Jesus, the Christ who was killed? We don't remember it for morbid reasons. But we do remember it with purpose. As Christians we remember it as a day when Jesus, the Christ demonstrated his love for us even to the point of death. Can anyone not remember the people who have died for us or sacrificed for us? We remember the good He did.
We also remember the sequence of events by reading Scripture passages written for us so many years ago. Our ancestors wanted us to remember. The witnesses wanted us to remember.
Maybe that is why the story includes the conversation Jesus the Christ had with the people hanging on crosses on either side of Him. The story tellers state that Jesus, the Christ was not the only "criminal" killed that day. There were two memorable people on crosses. Their crimes must have been some sort of theft since they are referred to as thieves. We remember one in particular. We remember "The Good Thief". He was the one who recognized Jesus, the Christ. The eyewitnesses report that the one thief asked Jesus, the Christ to
"remember me when you come into the Kingdom". Jesus, the Christ responded to the thief , "Today you will be with me in paradise." It was a good day for the thief. He entered paradise that day.
Maybe it was the thief's family who coined the name "Good Friday". They knew where their sinful, but repentant, loved one was going to spend eternity.
We remember, We celebrate. We believe. It is good news to know where a loved one is.
Jesus rose from the dead and opened the doors of heaven to all who believe. Just believe. Anything is possible with God. The balances on Good Friday changed from red to black. It was a very good day for us all.
Marian R. Carlino
March 20, 2013
