Good Friday and Holy Thursday – Two Very Important Christian Days

Many Christians are familiar with Christmas and Easter, but there are a lot of other notable holy days also. While I cannot consider all of them here, I want to highlight 2 feasts that fall back to back to each other: Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. Both are significant in the Church Catholic because they commemorate two highly notable events in the life of Jesus Christ and truths that affect our salvation. It is not a good idea to brush off these 2 hallowed and historic holidays. I am wondering here, are you pondering Good Friday Meaning?

First, let us discuss Maundy Thursday. It is a holiday that falls in the Thursday in Holy Week, which is also the Thursday prior to Easter Sunday. Also known as Holy Thursday, the Church Catholic celebrates the institution of the Eucharist on this day, as well as the establishment of the sacrament of holy orders. It was on this night, nearly two thousand years in the past, that Jesus celebrated the Last Supper with his followers. On that night, he identified the the Eucharistic elements with his sacred body and blood, and said “do this in memory of me.” He also cleaned his disciples’ feet at that meal, a tradition the Catholic Church still does during its modern including Holy Thursday liturgies. Jesus Christ also instituted a new commandment, for us to love one another like he has loved us. This is the “mandate” from which Maundy Thursday is named. Holy Thursday also begins the time period called the Triduum, which stops on Easter. As you are able to see, this is an notable day in the Church Catholic, because it commemorates the institution of the sacrament of Our lord’s body and blood, and the sacrament that guarantees the apostolic authority of the students of Christ!

Second, let’s remember Good Friday. It falls on the Friday before Easter, and commemorates the final happenings in the life of Our lord, his suffering, and death. It was on this Friday that our Lord gave his life for the humanity’s sins. He hung on the cross, surrounded by 2 regular criminals, bloodied, suffering, and left alone by his nearest followers.The process by which he walked to his place of death, and his final moments of suffering and death are recalled in the devotion of the stations of the cross, regularly used on Good Friday. This holiday is also a fast day in the Church. This means that Catholics are required to eat only one complete meal, as well as refrain from consuming animal flesh and meat based items on this date. This is a day of fast because we mirror the suffering of Jesus, and not eating is a way to do this. Basically, Good Friday is important because it is the date that the Lord gave up his life for our sins. His bloody death for us destroyed death and the grave, and showed us the way to suffer. This is the reason that a lot of Catholics frequently use a crucifix as a prayer tool, because we are reminded not only of what Jesus went through, but his death was where the battle for our salvation occurred. This is why Christians all over the world value the death of Jesus so much.

To wrap up, it is a good thing to celebrate Good Friday and Holy Thursday. Both commemorate important events in the salvation of humankind, and both days are essential to the worship life of the Church Catholic. So, this Holy Week, don’t forget to celebrate these two important holy days.

The essayist suggests celebrating the 2 holidays referenced previously, . One way is to attend a worship service on these holidays.