Good Friday reminds us of the suffering and death of Jesus Christ. It presents us with the reality of the excruciating pain under the weight of the cross which Jesus had to endure for our salvation. One may ask, was it necessary for Christ to suffer and die the shameful death on the cross for the sins of the world? Yes, it was essential because Adam's sin had affected the original nature God made us by bringing death into our world. Since we could not save ourselves, only God could restore us to his original plan. Therefore, in human form but without sin, God in Christ had to suffer and die to redeem the dead nature of man to life. His suffering expresses his divine love transforming pain to gain, suffering to success, and shame to pride. Today he hangs on the cross, the cross which was the symbol of shame and the highest degree of humiliation. However, that same cross now symbolizes his divine love and our path to salvation. Ultimately, he offered the highest form of sacrifice for a friend by dying on the cross, a message to renew and restore our hope and faith despite our painful experiences in life and an invitation to assist others' hope in God.

PRAYER: Lord, as we meditate on your passion and death on the cross, help us to renounce sin and selfishness, carry our crosses, and promote love and peace in our world. Amen.