Lent Devotional for Women: Good Friday

Hey there, our Lent Devotional for Women is closing in on Easter, but first we have to endure Good Friday. Traditionally and hopefully still today, the hours from noon to 3pm are meant to be kept quiet. This span of time represents our Lord hanging on the cross–dying for you and me.

Today is a somber day. But not just today right? We all experience somber days in life.

Here’s my question, do we allow ourselves to feel them?

Or do we spend an inordinate of time trying to hide, cover, avoid the somber, the pain, the trials, and the suffering? And the follow-up question, how’s that working for us?

In Matthew 27:34, Jesus was offered wine mixed with gall, “…but when he had tasted it, he would not drink.” This mixture was meant to produce “…a partial unconsciousness so that the terrible agonies might not be so keenly felt.” (Reflections on the Passion)

Here’s my question, is there something we use to dull the pain?

Do we use food, drink, spending money, scrolling the internet, binge-watching television, sports, exercise…to avoid the painful parts of life. Sister, we’re just trading out one type of pain for another.

You know that old hymn, “Jesus Paid it All”? Meditating on the Passion makes me want to change the lyrics to “Jesus Felt it All.” Every sense and fiber of His blessed Being felt it all. For us. Because we’re worth it.

Lean into the pain, carry the cross WITH Jesus.

An uncomfortable fact about pain and suffering is the only way through it…is through it. We can dull it, postpone it, avoid it all we want, but we have to go through it to get through it.

There are an untold number of people who spend their entire lives avoiding pain. In reality, all they do is trade one pain for another. Look, we should never seek out pain and suffering, life throws enough of that at us on its own. But when it comes, “…let us meet it calmly, resolutely, and fearlessly.” (Reflections on the Passion)

“Make time today to go, in spirit, to Calvary’s hill and take your place beside the sinless Mary, the Virgin Mother of Christ, and beside the sinner Mary Magdalen. Your own selfish, sinful heart will know what to say to Christ as He hangs on the cross. Tell Him of how you thank Him for what He has done for You and beg of Him the special grace to know the vileness and tragedy of sin.” (Reflections on the Passion)