Celebrating passion

Around the world today, Roman Catholics celebrated Good Friday. This is the day when we remember Jesus' suffering and death.

You may think that today should be a day of sadness and mourning, but it actually is a day of great hope. Father Raniero Cantalamessa for instance spoke of proclaiming glad tidings on Good Friday. Who is Father Cantalamessa? you may ask. Well, his title is Preacher of the Papal Household, so he gets to provide food for thought to the Holy Father and his staff. Imagine that!

Good Friday is a day that many remember from their earliest days of childhood. Whether it's the liturgy or some other custom that does the trick, this is always a day that makes us stop and think. Speaking of liturgy, we invited eight children to proclaim the traditional passion narrative in a not-so-traditional way this year, and all reports thus far are that it was a resounding success. There's something about hearing the passion read by children that makes adults sit up and take notice, and not just because their kids are doing the reading.

When all is said and done, the sacrifice of Christ which is remembered on this day gives us pause to consider the things and people we take for granted. At the heart of it all, the message proclaimed today is one of love. This message was proclaimed around the world today, from the voice of the Holy Father himself, to the gatherings in churches like ours.

Perhaps you too have experienced a new challenge to love lately. Want to share it with us, or with someone you love?