What makes this day "good?"

Good FridayAll Years, RCL 4/18/2025

John 18:1-19:42

A group of young men always appears to be up to no good. They mouth off to the authorities and the elders in the community.  Those in positions of power and authority don’t like them either. This group, especially their leader, often makes us uncomfortable with all kinds of accusations. Though there might be some truth to what they say, we don’t like hearing it. It upsets our families and friends. It makes us look bad. After all, we are the ones whom people are to look up to. We are the ones who set the example for the rest of society. We are decent, upright people. And I think they are homeless or something, wandering around night and day, and never in any one place very long.

Earlier this morning, a police informant told us where the leader of this group would be. They’ll be in Peace Park, less than a mile from the city center. So, we arrange a sting and go after him. The informant will guarantee we get the right guy, even though we know him well. We see him on Sunday mornings and around town.

We have to do this, you know. Even though the average Joe likes him well enough, he is just too disruptive and is affecting our business interests. So, we round the whole group of them up. We ensnared them just as we planned. With the group of reservists and police, it was quite easy. They were just sitting in the park, minding their own business. I don’t think they had any idea we were coming. Jesus, their leader made a big show, by standing up to us. And though we were initially intimidated, he said he would go willingly if we let his friends go. We didn’t really want them anyway. They don’t seem all that smart, and once we get the leader out of the way, I predict everything will quickly return to normal. Of course, we made a big show of it as well. We roughed him up a bit. He was resisting arrest, or at least that’s what the official report will say. It doesn’t matter too much. We did what we were told, and it’s in the hands of the authorities now.

What is “good” about this day? A group of young men gets rounded up by a mob, and the leader gets a hurried trial and sentenced to death on some trumped-up charges. What is good about this day? It seems like I could turn on the news and see similar situations taking place right now. There is nothing good for the friends and family involved. It’s excruciatingly painful.

In some way, each one of us took part in this roundup and crucifixion. We all shout, “Crucify him.” He didn’t fit the mold our society has made. He speaks the truth about those things we don’t want to hear. He shows us what we don’t want to see. And I imagine someone out there might say, “Fr. Steve, I didn’t shout crucify him. This happened 2,000 years ago. And if I were there, I would not have participated.”

The Gospel truth tells us that we likely would have participated in Christ’s crucifixion, for we participate in similar ways today. Each time we see injustice in our country, state, or community, and we passively sit by and watch; When we see these things on the news and continue to eat our popcorn in front of the TV until something else comes on; When we take no action whatsoever; Then we are shouting “Crucify him!" When we think ill of someone in our midst or across the globe who has done nothing to deserve it, we shout “Crucify him!" When we fall into sin or turn away from God, we shout “Crucify Him!" So what makes the day, the day we shout Crucify Him!, “good?”

What makes Good Friday "good?"

This day is “good" when we see through our sinful ways; When we repent for what we have done and continue to do. Today is good, when we turn to Christ who forgave, forgives, and will forgive again, all of our sins. Through Christ's life, death, and resurrection, we are given the gift of life. And though today is a day for deep solemnity and reflection, fasting, and repentance, through our lens of time, we know that Easter is around the corner. And if we allow it, the resurrection will shine light into the darkest recesses of our souls. For the hour is at hand, and we prepare ourselves for the coming of the resurrected Christ on this Good, this Very Good Friday.