When I was a young child, I often spent the hours between noon and 3 o’clock on Good Friday, sitting in silence in our beautiful local park. I don’t remember if I made it through the whole time without talking. Usually, one of my sisters would be around the area and stop by my bench to see if we could leave and go home.

I was always trying to get it “right”. Not realizing at that age that it was impossible to get it right through my own efforts. I was also trying to earn my way into heaven because I didn’t understand the true impact of Christ’s death on the cross. I’m not sure if an eight-year old can understand the magnitude of this gift. I’m not sure if I really understand it today.

However, spending time in contemplation of this divine mystery brings me closer to Jesus, closer to His love. I still contend with my need to understand the why and the how of what happened on that long ago Friday before the Passover.

This is an area for the practice of faith, pure and simple faith. The faith which we received in Baptism. The faith which we need to practice on a daily, even hourly basis. The faith which allows grace to flow to our troubled souls.

“Once Upon a Tree” is the opening line from the beautiful hymn by Pepper Choplin which will be sung at the Tenebrae service on Good Friday evening. It is a song of awe and majesty, as well as, of service and commitment. It tells of a promise to have Christ’s sacrifice live on in our lives.

Once upon a tree, a good man died, and though He did no crime,
He was crucified. If the story ended there, I would have no song to share,
but my heart will ever share the story.

Once upon a tree, so the story goes, and all its mystery surely no one knows.
Could the Father’s will be done through the suff’ring of His Son?
And there comes the answer, “Once upon a tree.”

For God so loved the world, He gave His priceless pearl. What greater love could there be?
He died, He rose again, still the story doesn’t end, for His spirit is living in me.
What tale of human love could there even be told? What song could compare with
the one I hold? Through everything I am and through ev’rything I’ll be, let me sing
my story: “Once upon a tree, Once upon a tree.”

So, spend some time in contemplation this Good Friday. Reflect on this ultimate sacrifice and the love which our God demonstrates for us at every moment of our lives. Yes, He does love you unconditionally and He suffered and died to prove it.

Terri