The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, gave the Good Friday Thought for the Day on BBC Radio 4. You can Listen to his talk here.
He said that Good Friday is an extraordinary day .
“Whoever you are, whether rulers and rich, or ordinary people dealing with the worst of times, the death of Jesus is both a challenge and a promise of hope.
“The challenge is to show that same self-giving love for the sake of others.
“The promise is that nothing is beyond His reach and even despair can be healed.”
Surely God is good . . . to those who are pure in heart.
But is it true?
Is there anyone who can explain why bad things happen to good people?
Today is Good Friday. “Stay with the suffering at the Cross” says our vicar. “Easter will come, but today we must focus on the pain.”
And so we get into the story of the crucifixion of Jesus and see it from all angles.
We feel the guilt, fear, abandonment, confusion, anger and deep, deep pain. We hear one muttering “Why me?” and another declaring “This is not my fault.”
“Now look into your own life” says our leader. “See what grieves or embitters your spirit. Write it down and nail it to the Cross. Leave it there.”
“Jesus’ suffering brings our healing”
Surely God is good . . . to those who are pure in heart.
But bad things do happen again and again to good people.
Have life to the full 