I have a had a very interesting Good Friday.The service went well , ecumenical , quiet and reflective with some music from Keith Duke from Lindesfarne; only one reflection from Mary Jesus mother, and then each person took a nail to the cross and laid it down before the candle was extinguished.
How ever the most powerful image that will remain with me, is the image of my 8 yr old grandson on the floor gazing at the cross( see picture). When I asked him if he was OK … he said yes .. I was just thinking about the pain that Jesus must have had once nails were in him …..he then told me that he liked the red cloth as it reminded him of the blood , but also of the pain the world we live in. I said that many people live in Good Friday and Holy Saturday mode … that all people can daily see and feel is pain and terror and fear, never getting to the resurrection hope that Easter Day brings.
Even though I obtained have a first class BA honours in Contextual Theology, and Masters in Theology, this simple act and conversation with my grandson that I witnessed spoke to me much more that words can imagine.
He knew pain, from his short life and personal experience, and knew it was part of life and living …yet he sat here thinking about how Jesus had helped him.
Thank God for children , who minister and teach us !!
Good Friday God,
When we can be immersed in Liturgies and words ,
The simple act of a sitting and reflecting in a childlike way …is all it takes ..
As we gaze at the cross, let us be aware of the pain of others
As we see your arms outstretched holding the world in an embrace.
Heal our wounds by your love for us
As we hear the cries of friends, families and strangers who stood before you .
Help us move from
the pain of living …..to the hope of abundant blessing.
In Jesus name …..we pray this today Amen
A 'Saint' in the making 