Good Friday: From the cross, Jesus gathers together a new family bound by love and faith
Pray with us - A series of Easter reflections
Transforming Nottinghamshire Together is supported by the Church Urban fund (CUF). Join our national team as they reflect and pray this Holy Week and Easter. Visit throughout the weeks as we make our journey together.
Here's MIA LUCAS-BRAY, head of fundraising and communications
I was baptised during Holy Week. On Good Friday our group was invited to meet together at the foot of the cross and pray. As the darkness of the cross hung over us, I felt reborn into a church family built on faith, love, and acceptance.
Years later, as I reflect on Good Friday, I’m reminded of John’s gospel when Jesus’ followers stand firm at the foot of the cross, so close that Jesus can speak to them: “When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman behold your Son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.” (John, 19:26-27).
From the cross, Jesus gathers together a new family bound by love and faith. We can see this new family symbolised in Jesus’ words and as the beloved disciple takes Jesus’ mother ‘to his own home’. And we can feel this new family surrounding us when we gather together at church.
This Good Friday, I pray that we continue to stand firm in faith, together, like the followers at the foot of the cross in John’s gospel. Even in times of darkness, may our eyes be inspired with a divine light, that we may see Christ in each other and love as He did.