TGIGF

TGIF is a common phrase whereby people celebrate the coming weekend and am end to the working week. 

How about TGIGF? Thanking God it's Good Friday, the day we remember the immensity of His love for us. 

A couple of weeks ago my son was crying and had his fingers in his mouth. I promised him that I would find something to comfort him and later that day had found some teething gel. I had kept the first promise I'd made to him and he now knows that I will comfort him when his gums hurt. 

It's the experience of having a son of my own that gives me a powerful glimpse into how much God loves us. I hate to see him suffer, even momentarily - and yet the Father watched His Son suffer and die - in love for us. 

It is contemplating the true Father that I can begin to realise how precious each person is - grace is freely given but grace was so very costly. 

The Good Friday liturgy is stark, punctuated by solemn silence and gives us a time of mourning. 

Our priest said that Good Friday - rather than Valentine's Day is the real celebration of love. 

"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." - John 15:13

"Friend, why are you here?"

Spy Wednesday: we recall Judas' betrayal. 

Christ's words to Judas as he is being betrayed penetrate the soul:

"Friend, why are you here?" (Matt 26:50)

How often have we considered ourselves to be Christians but betrayed Christ by our words, thoughts and actions?

Perhaps these words to Judas are a powerful aid to examining our consciences each day as we allow ourselves to be challenged: 

Are we living as friends to Christ and would these words be welcome if we saw Him face to face tonight?