Today's Devotion:

Today's devotion talked about the incredible gulf that existed between Christ's dream for mankind and the reality of making it happen. Was the crucifixion inevitable, or could Jesus have backed out? I don't think that question will ever be answered to everybody's satisfaction in my lifetime. But, in my opinion, if Jesus was in every way human, he certainly had the freedom of choice. Yet, he made the right choices and remained the perfect sacrifice for mankind so that he could bridge that gap between his dream and reality.

On this Good Friday, I pray: Father, thank you for sending your Son to be a perfect, holy and living sacrifice for our transgressions. Thank you for his sacrifice so that we may have eternal life. Thank you for the undeserving love that you have given to us, your creation. While we were created perfect, in your image, our perfection included the gift of free will, and in making our choices, we denied you and opened the door to our sinful nature. Thank you, by the sacrifice of Your Son, for closing that door to evil and reconciling us to your Kingdom.

Today's Comments

Good Friday is the most solemn day of the Christian year. I participated in our service at Blessed Sacrament as the Sub-Deacon and read the part of Pilate in John's Gospel. After Communion (which was pre-sanctified last night at the Maunday Thursday celebration), Father David asked me to put out the sanctuary light, signifying the bodily death of Jesus. Now we wait out the rest of the day and tomorrow until we finally celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord on Easter. I wonder what the disciples were feeling, as they waited and wondered.

Tonight, our Bible Study Group attended services at Holy Trinity and Saint Benedict Episcopal Church in Alhambra. It was an ecumenical service, and the Epistle lesson from Colossians was read in English, Mandarin, Tagalog, and Spanish. This afternoon, we focused on Christ's death and sacrifice. Tonight, we focused on the community of all Christians and what the nails of the cross mean to us.