29 March 2024 - Only By Grace Reflections

#OnlyByGraceReflections #CFC #CouplesforChrist

NOTE: Please click the Subscribe key on YouTube and press the black notification bell to receive the daily reflections. Or, open in YouTube for easy access. View and Like. Thank you.

TOPIC: ON THIS GOOD FRIDAY, DO WE FOCUS ON SUFFERING OR ON LOVE?

First Reading: Isaiah 52: 13 – 53: 12
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 31: 2, 6, 12-13, 15-16, 17, 25
Second Reading: Hebrews 4: 14-16; 5: 7-9
Verse Before the Gospel: Philippians 2: 8-9
Gospel: John 18: 1 – 19: 42

Today is one of the holiest of days in our Christian tradition. This solemn occasion provides us the opportunity to deeply reflect and gaze at the crucifix. As we look at the cross of Jesus, what do we see? Do we see pain, suffering and death?

If today is just another day of suffering and brutality, a day to reenact the execution of Jesus, then it makes no sense to speak of this day as ‘good’. The goodness of Good Friday does not eliminate the reality of grief, suffering and death. It simply means those are not the final or ultimate reality of this day, or any day for that matter.

This is the 1432nd installment of our CFC contemplation series focusing on the daily liturgical readings.

[NOTE: As we continue to pray for Bro Bong Arjonillo’s healing and recovery, let us listen to our brother Jess Ferrer, Head of the CFC Migrants Program, as he brings us today's reflection.

All the regular reflections are between 3-7 minutes long, enough time for us to ponder what God's message is for us individually and to pray that we may live them out in our lives. This video is also available on Couples for Christ’s Facebook page. In You Tube, just type ONLY BY GRACE REFLECTIONS]