Good Friday Challenge: A Family Tradition
- ifibeme
- Apr 1, 2015
- 2 min read
Good Friday is the day that we remember what it means to be loved by Jesus. Recently, a priest told me that if I were the only person on earth, Jesus would still come here just to die for me. And the same goes for you. I don't know about you, but something about the beauty and truth of that statement hit me right in the gut. He died for me. And for you. Jesus loves us more than His own life. God loves us so much that He sent His only – solely perfect and completely holy – Son to die a cruel and unjust death for us. Now that's love.
So.
I'm proud to announce that it's that time of year again. My family and I are preparing to buckle down because it's going to be a bumpy ride. Why? Because in my family we have a tradition. It starts by saying the Good Friday prayer 33 times before 3:00 on Good Friday (I have included the prayer below). And when the clock strikes 3, we revert to the stone ages (or what feels like the stone ages). It goes like this: from 3:00 on Good Friday until we go to Easter (or Easter Vigil) mass, we eat zero sweets (no candy or desserts), do not use electronics (besides for something religious, eg. religious movies or religious music), listen to (and this year, sing) no music except for religious songs, and do not hang out with friends (we cannot escape the sacrifice...). It really is quite wonderful. In all honesty, I am looking forward to it. To all of who are looking at the screen with bulging eyes thinking “What?!!!”...you should try it. It really gets us to think about the sacrifice Jesus made for us. It makes Good Friday and Holy Saturday mean more than just two more days of the year. And it makes us significantly more excited about (and for) Easter. Not only that, but it brings my family closer together - like when we watch The Ten Commandments or play board games. So my challenge for you? Give it a shot. See how long you can last. By the way, you're welcome in advance.
For all of you who have a prayer that needs answered or a dream your heart has been longing for, now's your chance to pray like crazy! We all know that those burning balls of gases and dust particles in the air that we call stars aren't going to grant us our wishes, but Jesus very well may! So here's a prayer that's a tradition in my family. I hope your prayer is answered! (Please feel free to contact IFIBEME through the contact page of the website if your prayer comes true – I'd love to hear about it!)
Good Friday Prayer
(Say 33 times before 3:00 on Good Friday and then ask God for something good.)
Oh! My Jesus I humbly beg of Thee by Thy Divine Heart and Blood of Thy intercession of Thy cruel death, assist me in my necessity.
Side note: There are alternate versions of the Good Friday prayer that can be found online.
