Good Friday Activities: How To Spend The Day Meaningfully

Good Friday is a solemn day for Christians, commemorating the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. It is a day of reflection, prayer, and mourning. Many Christians attend church services, participate in the Stations of the Cross, and choose to fast or abstain from certain foods. It is also a day to spend time with family and friends, sharing a meal and taking part in traditions like egg hunts. Good Friday is observed with reverence, as it marks Jesus' sacrifice and redemption, reminding us of His love and forgiveness.

Fasting and abstinence

Fasting

Fasting, in the context of Good Friday, involves refraining from food, resulting in a heightened sense of awareness and alertness. It is a form of penance or sacrifice, intended to strengthen the faithful and prepare them for deeper prayer and reflection. On Good Friday, Catholics are expected to fast by limiting themselves to a single full meal during the day, with two smaller meals that do not exceed the quantity of the full meal. It is important to note that fasting should be accompanied by adequate fluid intake, and those with health issues are advised against it.

Abstinence

Abstinence, on the other hand, specifically refers to refraining from eating meat. It is also an act of penance and sacrifice, helping individuals grow in freedom to make bigger sacrifices. Catholics observe abstinence on Good Friday by refraining from meat, though eggs and dairy products are not included in this restriction. This practice is not limited to Good Friday but is also encouraged on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays during Lent, the season of penance and atonement leading up to Easter.

History of Fasting and Abstinence

The practices of fasting and abstinence have deep roots in Christian tradition, dating back to the early Church. In the Old Testament, fasting was often accompanied by fervent prayer, with the belief that it made one's prayers more acceptable to God. In the New Testament, Jesus himself did not emphasise fasting while his disciples were with him, associating fasting with times of sorrow and anticipation of his return. However, the apostles were known to fast before making important decisions, as mentioned in the Acts 13:2 and 14:23.

The specifics of fasting and abstinence have evolved over time. In ancient times, during Lent, some Catholics would fast for extended periods, even up to 3:00 pm each day, symbolising the hour that Christ gave up his spirit on the cross. Today, many Catholics limit their fasting and abstinence to Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, with abstinence from flesh meat on other Fridays during Lent.

Spiritual Benefits of Fasting

Fasting is not merely a physical act but has profound spiritual benefits as well. St. Thomas Aquinas highlights three key purposes of fasting:

• Bridling the lusts of the flesh: Fasting helps bring the body under the control of the soul, fostering self-control and self-mastery, which are important virtues in the Christian life.
• Raising the mind to heavenly things: Fasting empowers us in prayer, enabling us to focus more intently on seeking and contemplating God.
• Satisfying for sins: Fasting is a means of atoning for our sins, taking responsibility for our transgressions, and making amends before God.

Church services

Good Friday is a solemn day for Christians, commemorating the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. It is a day of reflection, repentance, and mourning. Many Christians choose to attend church services and participate in various religious traditions to observe this day.

Christian churches hold special services on Good Friday that focus on the events leading up to Jesus' crucifixion. These services are often characterised by sombre reflection, hymns, and readings from the Bible. Here are some specific elements that may be included in Good Friday church services:

• Liturgy and Communion: Communion may be offered during the service, providing an opportunity for worshippers to slow down and personally encounter God as they receive the bread and wine. In some traditions, such as Catholicism, there is no Mass on Good Friday, and communion wafers are consecrated on Holy Thursday for use on this day.
• Hymns and Organ Music: Traditional hymns accompanied by organ music are often a part of Good Friday services, especially in more liturgical denominations.
• Bible Readings: Readings from the Bible, particularly those related to Jesus' Passion and crucifixion, are an integral part of Good Friday services. The Passion is read three times during Holy Week: on Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, and Good Friday.
• Stations of the Cross: Some churches include the Stations of the Cross in their Good Friday services. This involves reflecting on specific moments during Jesus' last journey, often through prayers or artwork depicting the scenes.
• Veneration of the Cross: In some denominations, such as Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy, the cross becomes a focal point of the service. The faithful approach and revere the cross as a symbol of Jesus' sacrifice.
• Silence and Prayer: Good Friday services may include periods of silence and prayer, especially between the hours of noon and 3 pm, the time during which Jesus suffered and died on the cross.
• Kids' Activities: Some churches offer kids' activities during their Good Friday services, recognising the importance of including families and children in these observances.

Additional Religious Traditions

In addition to church services, there are several other religious traditions that Christians may participate in on Good Friday:

• Fasting and Abstinence: Many Christians choose to fast or abstain from certain foods, especially meat, as a way to connect with Jesus' suffering.
• Passion Plays: Some Christian communities organise or participate in Passion Plays, which dramatise the events of Jesus' Passion and crucifixion.
• Veneration of the Cross Outside of Church: In some traditions, individuals may venerate the cross in their own homes, kneeling before a crucifix and kissing it as a sign of reverence.
• Prayer and Reflection: Christians may engage in personal prayer and reflection throughout the day, meditating on the significance of Jesus' sacrifice and its place in their own lives.

Passion Plays

The origin of Passion Plays can be traced to the Quem Quaeritis, a dramatic form performed by two choirs addressing each other. They also evolved from the Mystery Plays performed by city guilds in medieval cities like York, Chester, and Coventry. These plays flourished from the 14th century to the 16th century and even into the 17th century in some cases.

During the Reformation, Passion Plays were suppressed due to their perceived Catholic influences, and theatre was banned in 1642 by a Puritan Parliament. However, with the Restoration in 1660, theatres reopened, and women were allowed to perform on stage.

The modern revival of Passion Plays began in the 1950s and 1970s, with the York, Chester, and Towneley Mystery Plays being performed again. Today, Passion Plays are held all over the world, including in the United States, Australia, the Philippines, and Brazil.

One notable Passion Play is the Great Passion Play in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, which has been performed annually since 1968 and attracts thousands of visitors. It is set in an outdoor amphitheatre and features a multi-level set, special lighting and sound effects, live animals, and a large cast of Biblically costumed actors.

Prayer and reflection

Good Friday is a day of mourning and repentance for Christians, who remember the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. It is a solemn occasion, marked by fasting, prayer services, and church services. Here are some ideas for prayer and reflection on Good Friday:

• Wake up earlier than usual to begin the day with prayer and meditation. Read passages from the Bible that relate to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, such as John 3:16-17, Isaiah 53:3-6, and Mark 9:31.
• Pray the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary.
• Practice silence from noon to 3 pm, the hours during which Jesus suffered on the cross.
• Pray for spiritual comfort in the shadow of the Cross. You can say: "Heavenly Father, as we gather in prayer on this Good Friday, we seek spiritual comfort in the shadow of the Cross. May Your presence surround us, offering solace and strength. Comfort our hearts as we contemplate the sacrifice of Your Son, finding peace in the knowledge of redemption."
• Pray for unity and peace within your family. You can say: "Merciful Father, on this Good Friday, we come together as a family to pray for unity and peace. May our collective prayers bring harmony to our homes and instill a sense of togetherness. As we reflect on Jesus' sacrifice, may it inspire love and understanding among us."
• Pray for healing and redemption. You can say: "Merciful God, on this Good Friday, we offer heartfelt prayers for healing and redemption. As we come before You with our brokenness, we seek the healing touch of Your grace. May the sacrifice of Your Son bring redemption to our lives and wholeness to our souls."
• Pray for inner peace. You can say: "Heavenly Father, as we enter meditative moments on this Good Friday, we seek Your presence for inner peace. In the stillness of prayer, calm our hearts and grant us a sense of peace that transcends understanding. May the sacrifice of Your Son bring serenity to our souls."
• Pray the Stations of the Cross.
• Pray for forgiveness. You can say: "Merciful God, on this Good Friday evening, we gather in prayer, seeking Your forgiveness. As we reflect on the Cross, may we recognize the depth of Your mercy and grace. Grant us the courage to seek forgiveness and the humility to extend it to others."
• Pray for renewal and restoration. You can say: "Heavenly Father, on this Good Friday, we lift our hearts in prayer, seeking renewal and restoration. As we reflect on the Cross, may the hope found in Christ’s sacrifice permeate our beings. Grant us the grace to leave behind brokenness and embrace the promise of redemption."

Hot cross buns

There are several methods for making hot cross buns, but most recipes include a combination of flour, yeast, sugar, butter, eggs, milk, and dried fruit. The dough is typically kneaded and left to rise before being shaped into balls and baked. The cross on top of the buns can be made with a simple flour and water paste, or with icing, which is added after baking.

Frequently asked questions