Rogue Mind

1 month ago

Notes: 1 / 1 month ago

Why it’s acceptable to say Happy Good Friday

Before I begin my defense of the greeting ‘Happy Good Friday’, let me go on record and state that I am not as religious as I am spiritual. Raised in a strict Catholic family, I have a fair understanding of the Bible and the theological arguments in favour and against its teachings.

So, this question has been thrown at me in the past, and today on Twitter. Why do you say Happy Good Friday? Isn’t it the day that Jesus Christ died? Isn’t it supposed to be a day for mourning and deep sorrow? So why Happy Good Friday?

It helps to take a look at the days that led up to the Crucifixion. Jesus was this travelling prophet, walking around the land, preaching love, humility and forgiveness to the people. The son of a lowly carpenter hanging out with fishermen and tax-collectors, staying in the houses of people on the fringes of society. Hardly the type of person who you would suspect to make any difference to the social, let alone spiritual, fabric. But people were drawn to him. Some expected him to be the leader of the rebellion against the Roman occupation of Israel. Some thought he’d be the next king. But this dude is walking around, telling people to be nice to each other, help each other and forgive sins. Talking in riddles and stories, and performing an occasional miracle. No sign of a rebellion.

If his followers were expecting a revolt, they certainly were disappointed. His apostles themselves were a confused lot most of the time. Son of Man, Son of God, Lamb of God, deaths and sacrifices, what is this gibberish? And to top it all there’s this whole thing of ‘give me your hearts, let me save your souls.’ Okay bro, it’s pretty awesome that you’re healing the sick, restoring sight to the blind and raising the dead. That’s cool. You’re forgiving people’s sins and performing exorcism. Even that’s cool. You’re calling yourself the Son of God, and telling people that you are the only path to the Almighty. That might not fly well with the authorities, but even that’s okay with us. But this whole thing about ‘give me your hearts and let me save your souls’ that’s kinda pushing it too far. Kinda nuts if you ask us…

The apostles were only scratching the surface of Christ’s philosophy. They hadn’t fully understood his mission. They definitely were uncomfortable with all the unnecessary attention that last bit was getting them. But Jesus prodded on with his task, knowing well that it would end with Him hanging naked on a tree in front of the whole town with none of these ‘friends’ by his side. I suppose it was either an act of courage or foolishness to push it that far, and to stand by the side of a guy who was determined to go the distance, to ‘save souls’.

Even at the Last Supper, Jesus realised these friends weren’t completely prepared for a world without his physical presence. It was an uncomfortable silence. Talk of bloody wine, flesh and betrayal was around. And to top that, He’s washing their feet. What was up with this dude? Why won’t he just give up with this nonsense? He’s out to get us all in trouble. And even then, Jesus was talking of love. Good last words? Maybe.

Within 24 hours, he’d be killed and buried. And those 24 hours would probably be the greatest moments of the apostles’ lives. From ignorance to enlightenment, they’d be redeemed. They’d FINALLY understand what he was doing, what his whole campaign was about. He’d die so that they would be saved. They’d see him forgive the ones who nail him. They’d see him hang on that tree, naked and mocked by the whole town, in complete agony, with fat black nails pushed through his wrists and feet. They’d see him broken, and even in those moments stay strong for the fate of humanity. And they’d witness the sky turn black, earth shake under their feet, ghosts walk the streets and thunder underline the afternoon, as God would honour the human death of his Son. And they’d know. He was right all along.

Christ’s death marked the fulfillment of his mission. It was complete, successful, perfect. he had triumphed over evil and temptations. This day is far more important to me than Christmas. It is a happy ‘Good’ Friday because it is a reminder that only through pain, through hardship, through suffering can we emerge triumphant in all good that we do. That life isn’t always miracles. That salvation sometimes needs the most toughest struggles. That obstacles will stand in your path. And when you can’t find a way, you make one on your own. That it’s okay to be human, because it us who will redeem ourselves and construct our own happiness. And that only through our spiritual crucifixion will we come to our resurrection.

Notes: 3185 / 3 months ago from satans-heroin (originally from c-a-d-a-v-e-r-i-a)

Notes: 10977 / 3 months ago from satans-heroin (originally from lilacfumes)

(Source: lilacfumes)

Notes: 3844 / 3 months ago from satans-heroin (originally from )

(Source: )

Notes: 1952 / 3 months ago from satans-heroin (originally from jokeolantern)

(Source: jokeolantern)

Notes: 5276 / 3 months ago from jaycificity (originally from artchipel)

artchipel:

Michael Peck (b.1977, Australia) - Untitled. Oil on Linen, 198 x 198cm (2011)

Using crashed World War II planes, as seen through the eyes of innocent children, the new body of work explores Michael’s relationship with his two grandfathers, who both served in World War II.

Both men passed away within months of each other in 2010, prompting Michael to contemplate how little he knew about their lives and consider our inherited experiences of conflict across generations.

[more Michael Peck | artist found at Escape Into Life]