Updated January 13, 2023
5 Things You Need to Know About Good Friday
Good Friday is the day Christians worldwide commemorate Jesus Christ’s Crucifixion. It commemorates the most crucial event in human history: The Cross, death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. And if you need clarification on this holiday, here are the top five things you must know.
Good Friday: A Day of Fasting, Prayer, and Penance
Good Friday is a day of prayer, fasting, and penance. It is the day on which we commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The most important aspect is that it is a day of fasting. Catholics are encouraged to fast from any food or drink from midnight until dawn. However, there are exceptions to this rule. Catholics are also encouraged to abstain from meat on this special day. The Catholic Church teaches that eating meat on Good Friday goes against our faith because it involves killing an innocent animal.
Another aspect is that Catholics must pray more than usual during this period to ask forgiveness for their sins and repent for their past transgressions to become closer to God. Finally, there is also an emphasis on penance during this period to help us reflect upon our lives and make amends with others who may have slighted us or hurt us in some way and with God himself.”
What is the History?
The day after Easter is known as Good Friday. This is because it was the day when Jesus Christ was crucified, died, and rose from the dead. It is also known as Holy Friday. Good Friday is a day of fasting, repentance, and prayer. It is traditionally observed by Christians worldwide. The history dates back to the time of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and death.
The story begins with Judas Iscariot betraying Jesus out of jealousy for the attention that he received from those around him. Because of this betrayal, Jesus got sentenced to die on the cross at Calvary near Jerusalem. When Judas Iscariot approached Pontius Pilate with his request to crucify Jesus, Pilate agreed but had him flogged first before administering the sentence (Matt 27:26-27).
How did Good Friday Get its Name?
The name “Good Friday” is a misnomer, as the term “Good” refers to the joy and celebration of Easter. The actual name of the day comes from the Latin phrase “dies irae,” which means “day of wrath.” Pope Pius V established this day in 1566, declaring it a holy day of obligation for all Catholics. The holiday eventually became known as Good Friday after the gospel reading for that day (“Matthew 27:1-9”).
How is Good Friday Celebrated around the World?
Fasting on Good Friday is widespread in many parts of the world, especially among Christians. In most countries where people observe this custom, it falls on the fourteenth day of Holy Week. It commemorates Jesus’ crucifixion and his death at Calvary. In some countries, however, it has become one of the most important holidays in their religious calendars. In others, it is a day of fasting and prayer.
Some countries mark Good Friday by observing a day of fasting and prayer, while others celebrate it with special church services or by giving alms to the poor. In addition, some nations observe Good Friday as a legal holiday so that people can take time off work to attend religious services and social gatherings.
5 Things You Can Do On Good Friday
Good Friday is a day of solemnity and reflection, particularly among Christians. The day commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, which occurred at the end of his ministry in Jerusalem and on Holy Saturday. The day also recognizes the resurrection of Jesus.
Let’s see below five things that you can do on Good Friday:
- Prepare for Lent.
- Read Scripture passages about Jesus’ life and death.
- Pray for peace in your world and the world at large.
- Consider how far you’ve come in trusting God as your Savior and Lord over your life this year — and ask Him to help you keep going on this “Good Friday.”
- Consider why Jesus died for us — so we can live forever with Him in heaven! Think about how you’ve sinned against him, then ask forgiveness from him and others who have sinned against you — including yourself! (This is an excellent opportunity to confess any sins of your own).
Conclusion
After learning everything about Good Friday, you may better understand this holiday. You can now share your knowledge with friends and family to get them up to speed. While you may not celebrate this religious holiday, it’s worthwhile to learn about it. These tips have given you an excellent overview of what Good Friday is all about, so use them to share with others.
