In the Christian calendar, today is Good Friday, the day we remember when Jesus was crucified on the cross, the sacrifice He made for our sins. Growing up in the Philippines, Easter time (specially Holy Week) was marked with somber traditions and ceremonies held by the Catholic faith, including a gruesome reenactment of all that Jesus endured on Good Friday. The whipping, the crown of thorns, the journey to Golgotha, and the crucifixion. As a child, it was a jarring and I was only allowed glimpses of it, but it was enough. What I read in the Bible wasn’t just bound to illustrations or my imagination. It was played out in real life.
Now, it’s one of the traditions I grew up with that I really do not like, but it still serves as a reminder for me to honor the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, especially today. It can be challenging to find time to do that in the midst of our busy daily routines. Here are two ways to observe Good Friday even when you’re busy with work, school, or other responsibilities.
Pray for a few minutes throughout the day
One of the simplest ways to observe Good Friday is to set aside some time for prayer or reflection during your daily routine. This could be as simple as a few of minutes. Find those minutes during your commute, in the bathroom, or while you’re eating a meal. Back in a particular semester of college, I unknowingly registered for classes at three different colleges Monday through Saturday. As a commuter student, unoccupied time was few and precious. Church taught me to set aside 15-20 minutes for devotion time (longer if I could). I didn’t have that, but I had a handful of minutes here and there. I would start a prayer in the morning and end it at night, one continuous conversation with God dispersed throughout the day. It worked for me in that season. To “pray continually” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) took a whole new meaning that allowed grace to flow into all the busy areas of my life.
Serve others with acts of kindness
Another way to observe Good Friday in the midst of your daily routine is to seek out opportunities for service or acts of kindness. Jesus showed His love for us through the ultimate act of service. We can show our love for others in service as well. It doesn’t have to be a formal volunteer commitment. There are plenty of ways to be of service to others throughout your day. You might offer to help a coworker with a project, reach out to a friend who’s going through a tough time, or simply smile and greet everyone you meet with kindness and compassion. An even easier way to give back is to be intentional where you shop. If this is doable for you, shop small or buy what was already on your shopping list from charitable organizations.
Remember Jesus in thought and in action
These two ways to observe Good Friday boils down to remembering Jesus in thought and in action. Ultimately, the most important thing is to find a way to observe Good Friday that feels authentic and meaningful to you. It doesn’t have to be a grand gesture or a detailed reenactment. By taking even a few minutes to pray or by seeking out opportunities to be of service to others, you can honor the sacrifice of Jesus and draw closer to God.
