It’s Good Friday (for a few more hours.) Here’s a reflection written & shared previously (but still good) along with a song from one of my favorite singers.
Good Friday: Jesus is rejected, beaten, mocked, whipped, and scourged. After carrying a heavy cross, nails pierce His hands and His feet.
There He hangs on the cross, suffering for you and me; suffering for us and all humanity.
“Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34)
Easter is coming, but the Suffering Christ is here for us, with us, in our suffering. Can we draw closer to the cross?
To stand, like Mary.
“Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother…” (John 19:25)
At the foot of the cross, Mary must have wondered amidst flashbacks of angels, shepherds, wise men, kingly gifts, and miracles of water into wine. How came her son, the Messiah, to hang like a common criminal on a cross?
Yet, in sorrow Mary stood. With the faith of her ‘yes’ to Angel Gabriel and to God, 33 years later she stands at the foot of the cross. Confused and bewildered? Most likely, yet Mary still stands with Jesus.
Maybe our suffering is so great it’s hard to move forward; maybe it’s crushing our spirits and our will to do. Perhaps we’ve stumbled, taken a tumble, and it’s hard to stand after a fall.
But, look at Christ on the cross, suffering. He’s here for me, and for you. Do we have faith, like Mary, to stand even if our hearts are breaking? Even if we don’t fully understand?
Here’s one of Sarah Hart’s songs from her Above Earth’s Lamentation compilation (about which I have previously blogged) – Praying with a Broken Heart, sung with Matt Maher. Be blessed to give it a listen via this YouTube video.
grace, peace & praying hearts
Virginia
Roses in the Rubble 
thank you Virginia for a beautiful reflection on the holy day.
Thanks, Michele. May this Eastertide be blessed with extra doses of LOVE at the Rabbit Patch (& in Elizabeth City!)
you are so kind-you must know I wish the same for you, my dear friend. love Michele
The happenings on Holy Week and the whole Lent season make us more realize how Jesus sacrificed for all of us. Looking forward to the beautiful celebration of Easter Vigil. Thanks for these lovely thoughts Virginia.
I’m just getting ready to head to our Easter Vigil this evening, Arlene. May the sacrificial love of Jesus permeate our Easter celebrations — and strengthen our hearts for days & weeks to come!
Will attend the Easter Sunday mass in a while Virginia. Hugs to you. Easter – new beginnings, new hope.
I listened to her music…it was a beautiful song..,playing with a broken heart..
Carol-Jo, Sarah Hart is one of my favs –I put 4 of her CDs in a playlist that gets high-frequency plays. She is a woman of deep faith! 🙂
Thank you for sharing Sarah Harts’s song! For the first time…to know this band, so amazing.
A rose for those who praying with a broken heart.
Thank you Virginia.
A rose for those who are praying with a broken heart.
Sarah Hart has many amazing songs of faith & encouragement – hope you can check out more of her music that has inspired me for a long time. Blessings (& healing) for broken hearts… 💜🌷💜🎶💜🌷
Indeed. Thank you.