Today is Good Friday! In its simplest form, Good Friday is the observance or remembrance of the death of Jesus (understood to be the Christ), by crucifixion outside the walls of Jerusalem around 30 AD. The entire New Testament of the Bible is built around the historicity and significance of this event for which the Old Testament prepared the way.
The celebration of Good Friday is observed in many countries, especially in the western world (i.e. in countries in which Christianity has been formative). In Canada, Good Friday has been established as a national holiday since April 18, 1870. Every province and territory of the nation designates Good Friday as a statutory holiday meaning that employees are entitled to a free day from work or some compensation in remuneration. Most churches in Canada hold services for worship in recognition of the event’s significance.
My reason for writing about Good Friday today is to make the profound observation that the Day has statuary holiday status in our country. Though most of Canada’s 40 million people see Good Friday as simply a free day from work, the day is still recognized as a holiday because of its historical and religious significance. While Canada, in the last fifty years, has become increasingly secular, it’s wonderful that the observance of Good Friday has retained its place in our culture. Most, of course, will go about their lives on this holiday simply by taking the time to rest, to catch up on home chores, or to enjoy some recreational activity. Yet it’s still quite amazing that the nation halts its normal activity because of such a holiday.
The observance of Good Friday is a testimony not only to a Christian custom or tradition but to the recognition of a long history of Christian faith, centered in the existence of Jesus as described in the New Testament. Though the world, and our own culture, has seen many diversions from the historical recognition of the Christian faith, it still remains foundational to what our culture is all about. The existence of Good Friday as a national holiday should serve as a signal and reminder that Jesus and His death (and resurrection) are important matters for everyone to think about.
More deeply reflected upon, Good Friday (as well as other holidays) speaks of the importance of history as a reference for what life is really all about. Back in the last century, the Spanish-American philosopher, George Santayana is most remembered for his famous expression that, those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. In saying so, Santayana alludes not only to the profound importance of history but also to taking it seriously in a personal way. It’s a self-evident fact that all of history leads toward the fulfilment of a purpose. And nowhere is this more evident than in the existence of this one called, Jesus Christ of Nazareth, and what happened to Him.
It’s to the credit of the Canadian nation that by declaring Good Friday a national holiday, it testifies to the importance of this event in history — not only for the sake of support for Christians, but as an objective reality. At the least, the holiday should serve to draw everyone’s attention to think about who Jesus was and what happened to Him when He was crucified. Many have died for noble reasons, but the fact that Good Friday is a national holiday in Canada, and many other nations of the world, speaks volumes about the significance of His death. Likewise, disregarding the significance of the day can’t help but lead to more of what led to Jesus’ crucifixion in the first place — the rejection of the grace and mercy which He came to bring to the world.
I thank God for this Good Friday celebration, not only because it provides an opportunity for deep personal reflection, but also because its existence can’t help but testify to its importance for our nation and all of humanity. As we prepare for another national election in just 10 days from now, may the fact of what happened on Good Friday and its significance (as well as Easter Sunday) move the people of our nation to vote with due consideration for that which has been central to our history and existence.
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