Good Friday, The Last Station of the Cross

A Good Friday to each of you!

We come to this day to celebrate, as well as remember. If you are like me, many of you will join with Christians in remembering Christ's death on the cross. This is the final station of the cross: The Fourteenth Station: Jesus is Placed in the Tomb

Scripture Reading:
When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph, who was himself a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be handed over. Taking the body, Joseph wrapped it [in] clean linen and laid it in his new tomb that he had hewn in the rock. Then he rolled a huge stone across the entrance to the tomb and departed.
Matthew 27: 57-60



They took the body of Jesus from the cross -- he had cried out, "It is finished" and gave up his spirit to death, and from the cross they took his body to its resting place. The huge stone over the tomb is the final sign of the permanence of death. In this final act of surrender, who would have imagined this tomb would soon be empty or that Jesus would show himself alive to his disciples, or that they would recognize him in the breaking of bread? Jesus, you are the Paschal lamb.
"Your work is done. Your Resurrection to new life will climax it. You have redeemed the world. You have offered the greatest gift: yourself. You have shown the greatest love. Your life brought good to all people, even into eternity. Help me to live a life of love. Love for you, my God. Love for my fellowman, too. Help me to give my greatest gift, myself, to you and to them, in love. Then my work will be done. I too will have brought much good to people, even into eternity."

A Prayer:

"Jesus, you came before the throne as the lamb of God that was worthy to open the scroll, because you had redeemed people from every tribe and nation. Lord Jesus, Father, and Holy Spirit, the mystery of your life and death is beyond my comprehension, but not the praise and adoration that is due you. Thank You Jesus for your blood, for your forgiveness, for your love, for your freedom, and for your victory...All Hail King Jesus!"