Its Good Friday tomorrow.
Good Friday, the second day of the Triduum, is the solemn remembrance of Jesus' death on the cross. The English designation of "Good Friday" is apparently a corruption of "God's Friday," although the term is a very fitting one since the Lord's death was for our eternal good.
Good Friday worship is marked by austerity and silence. The music of keyboards and other instruments is minimized or eliminated altogether. The altar, completely stripped of appointments, is normally not used. Instead, one or more lecterns or reading desks serve as the focal points of the service. The passion narrative from the gospel of John (John 18:1-19:42) is traditionally the appointed text for this day. The two liturgical services for Good Friday are the Tre Ore and the Tenebrae.
The principal Good Friday worship service is one that starts at noon and is called the Tre Ore (Italian for "Three Hours"). This service is a somber commemoration of the last three hours of our Lord's suffering on the cross. It features homilies, hymns, and other meditations centered on Christ's seven words from the cross. In addition, the Tre Ore contains several unique sequences that are among the most beautiful and moving in the entire historic liturgy. The first of these is the Bidding Prayer. In this special prayer, the pastor leads the congregation in a series of intercessions (called "bids") for the needs of the church and the entire world. The Tre Ore service also calls for the carrying of a rough wooden cross (often fashioned out of the trunk of the church's Christmas tree) in slow procession through the nave to the chancel, where it is then leaned against the altar. Worshipers can offer a sign of adoration such as bowing, kneeling, or touching the cross as it passes by. During the procession, the congregation or choir sings a hymn in praise of Christ's saving work on the cross. Finally, a rite that is often incorporated into the Tre Ore after the cross processional is the chanting or reading of an ancient liturgical text known in Latin as the Improperia. These heart-breaking verses, based on Old Testament passages such as Micah 6:3, Psalm 69:21, and Isaiah 5:2-4, are a series of stinging accusations brought by Christ against the church for His suffering and death on the cross. These powerful reproaches reveal the many ways that each one of us is responsible for the Lord's crucifixion. Depending on local circumstances churches will frequently conduct a Tre Ore that does not last three full hours but does contain some of the traditional features of this ancient service. However, the Tre Ore is designed to conclude at 3 PM (the "ninth hour" of the New Testament crucifixion accounts), the time that Christ gave up His life (Matthew 27:45-50).
The Tenebrae or Service of Darkness takes place in the evening. It derives its name from the gradual extinguishing of candles and lights at various points in the service. The ensuing darkness is a symbolic recreation of the darkness that covered the land when our Lord died (Mark 15:33). It also brings to mind the fading life of our Lord as He hung on the cross. Scripture readings and hymns direct the hearts of the people to repent of the sins that made our Lord's crucifixion necessary. The last remaining candle (representing Jesus) is not extinguished like the others, but is carried out of the chancel. The Service of Darkness ends with the strepitus, a sudden loud noise caused by the slamming shut of a book or door. The strepitus symbolizes the tumultuous earthquake that accompanied the Lord's death (Matthew 27:46-53) and the shutting of the tomb when He was interred. It also foreshadows the breaking of the tomb at the Resurrection described in Matthew 28:2. The Christ candle is then returned to the altar as a reminder to the worshippers that even in the midst of death and darkness our Lord was not defeated by the devil, but rose in triumph on Easter morning. The people then disperse in silence.
In spite of the solemnity of Good Friday worship, it is not a funeral service for Jesus. It is rather a time of quiet and serious contemplation on His great saving work.
0 comments:
Post a Comment