Man of Sorrows

[EpicScore]

"Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you." (John 17:1)

In this Good Friday, let us reflect on our sins, that had led Christ to the cross, but also the great love of God, who was willing to bear that burden for our sake, that we may be reconciled to Him.

And let us praise His name, who was able to transform the shame of that cross into the champion of our salvation, for no grave can contain His glory.

 

[Akita Suggagaki]

Ya know,
It the older I get and the more experiences I have,
and the more suffering I witness and endure myself,
the more sacred the blood of Christ seems to me.
The more real it becomes for me.

Today we recall the reality that Jesus bled, suffered and died for us.

And I have to admit that I don’t quite understand it.
I have read all the theories and all the scriptures.
But there is still a sacred mystery to it all.
We do not have to understand God.

But we do need to realize that the suffering of Christ was real,
As real as our own suffering that we know so well.

Jesus said that if we want to be his disciple,
We must take up our crosses and follow him.
So the cross is the symbol of our discipleship.
It is the place where the blood of Christ flowed without bandage.


We do not like suffering. Neither does Jesus.
But he accepts it as part of his life.
And then we are not alone no matter what goes on in our lives.


He and his blood changes our lives.
Somehow cleanses us, awakens us, saves us and
Empowers us in our own suffering.


Empowers us because we become all connected.
We become the body of Christ.
We all have a share in him and with him.


The prophet Isaiah tells us,
“Ours were the sufferings he bore,
Ours the sorrows he carried.”


This is something the world doesn’t get.
A Messiah who was crucified?
His primary commandment
was to love one another as he loved us.


The power of love,
His love and our love,
is another sacred mystery.
Let us live that mystery,
In solidarity with one another
As Jesus is in solidarity with us and us with him.


As the Psalm we read today tells us,
“Take courage and be stouthearted,
all you who hope in the Lord.”


Have a Good Friday,
a Friday of prayer and reflection.
Let your own suffering
Connect you with Jesus.

 

[Siddhi Koli]

"Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you." (John 17:1)

In this Good Friday, let us reflect on our sins, that had led Christ to the cross, but also the great love of God, who was willing to bear that burden for our sake, that we may be reconciled to Him.

And let us praise His name, who was able to transform the shame of that cross into the champion of our salvation, for no grave can contain His glory.

View attachment 315004

Very beautiful I like this drawing ☺️