Friday, April 10, 2020

Good Friday, 2020

Why do we call it "Good" Friday? The most reliable linguistic evidence is an older meaning of "good": an holy silence, a time of pausing and pondering, which is reflected in the German Karfreitag (silent, grieving, solemn day).

This Good Friday comes in the shadow of both the cross and a pandemic. From the perspective of about 2000 years later, we are reminded not only of the renewal of life to come, but of the affirmation that the differences of life that we call disability are also part of the divine-ordained nature, and we give thanks. May we resolve to live accordingly.

A sunrise scene with varied sky colors in the background, silhouetted trees in the middle, and shimmery grass in the foreground. Text superimposed below: For this, all creation then gives thanks - All that blooms and shortly withers - For Nature cleansed Has gained this day her day of innocence. Parsifal iii