Good Friday (II)

Halfway through composing I noticed that Susana has just posted on this topic. Instead of cursing, I will edit to use her post to help convey my thoughts. (Take note Susana -- cursing doesn't ever work to your advantage!)

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I just finished watching an episode of the Band of Brothers. I found it sombering and a fitting activity for Good Friday. As I sit and listen to a beautifully mournful line of harmony repeat itself in my mind, I embrace the sorrow that I find in my heart.

One night working at camp as a counsellor, the speaker told a story to illustrate Jesus' sacrifice. He told a moving story about a man who, to save a whole train full of people, willingly gave his life. The speaker then used an illustration: sin (represented by a saucer) blocked the blessings (water) which God wanted to pour into our lives (a cup). He said that Jesus was like the man in the story; because of his sacrifice the saucer was not only moved away, but broken forever. He dropped the saucer and it broke on the ground. There was power in his story-telling. Kids who already knew the story were moved to tears. A girl from my cabin cried for over half an hour while I sat with her.

As I sat in the chapel at King's this morning for the Good Friday service, the memory of this girl from camp came back to me as I thought again of the same story of Jesus' sacrifice. I don't know what was going through her head as she cried, and I'm not sure she could have articulated it herself. But there was something so beautiful and rich in the depth and sincerity of her sadness. The memory made me want to muster that same sadness for myself.

I can understand why some Christians do not observe the structure and ceremony of the liturgical calendar. But for whatever reason they've not embraced it, I can't help but feel that perhaps they may be missing something. (Yes Susana, that's you.)

I don't want to say anthing radical or anything judgemental here. But there is something so good about allowing God to produce in us such deep feelings of sorrow and sadness that would move us to irrational tears. And I think that God works through ceremony to help us to identify with this day and with the Cross. Ceremony (including the music, the liturgy, etc.) can be a really good storyteller when we let it: it can go beyond words.

Not all Christians need religiously observe Good Friday, but I do hope that at some point we are all brought to our knees with unbidden tears for the sadness of our situation and what God has done in remedy of it. There is definitely hope beyond Good Friday, but there is a richness to be found in dwelling for a moment in the darkness and sadness of what this day represents.

z.
(p.s. sorry sus, it is really long. i tried.
p.p.s. sorry this is so serious and dramatic. i'll be more light-hearted next time, i promise.)