Why do we celebrate the death of Jesus?

Good Friday is the day when Church remembers the death of Jesus. In the Latin Church that day’s celebration is different without the usual Holy Eucharist. It is sentimental for many and churches are usually full that day.

Little Johnny who was in the pew took note of the decorations and the somber celebration of the day and asked, “What’s different today, Mom?” “Don’t you know; it’s Good Friday, the day Jesus died,” said Jackiehis Mom. Johnny thought a while and asked, “Why did he have to die?” “He died for you and for me,” she said, but could not elaborate on that.Why was Jesus’ passion and death necessary? Why do we give such importance to it in our liturgy?

From Adam and Eve onwards all of us have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God. (Rom 3.23) Sin made us slaves to the powers of evil (Jn 8.34) It also brought us death (Rom 6.23). That is what we call the fallen state of the human race. The penalty for sin had to be paid; the pollution of sin had to be removed and the powers of the evil one had to be broken. God in his immense mercy sent his only Son Jesus Christ “whom he set forth as an expiation through faith by his blood.” (Rom 3.25) By his suffering and ignominious death on the cross, Jesus the Son of God redeemed us from the bondage of sin and death. If the Son made us free, we are indeed free. (Jn 8.36) That’s why Peter wrote, “He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross, so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness.” (1 Pt 2.24) Paul the Apostle said to the Romans, “Now that you have been freed from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit that you have leads to sanctification, and its end is eternal life.” (Rom6.22)

Jesus’ cross, death and resurrection stand at the very center of the good news of salvation proclaimed by the Apostles. The good news proclaimed by Paul was of “Jesus Christ and him crucified.” (1Cor 2.2) The Church continues that proclamation to this day. The crucifix depicting the death of Jesus is at the very center of the Christian worship. The day Jesus died is celebrated as ‘good’ Friday. The wood of the cross is venerated during the service on that day.

The violent death of Jesus was not the result of a chance or a coincidence of circumstances, but a part of the mystery of God’s plan (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #599). His suffering and death was “by the set plan and knowledge of God.” (Acts 2.23) It is a unique sacrifice surpassing all other sacrifices throughout history. God the Father handed his Son over in order to reconcile us to Himself. It is also an offering of the Son of God made man of his life, to the Father in freedom and love. (Jn 10.17)

His death is also a celebration of our own deaths. But death of Christians has, in fact, lost its sting through the Lord’s resurrection. (1 Cor 15.55) It is an additional reason to celebrate his death.

Jackie was pleasantly surprised at the information she found in different books about the importance of Christ’s death. That Good Friday celebration was really special and it had a greater depth to it with all the facts she had learned. Next time when she said, “He died for you and for me,” there was a depth of conviction and fervor of faith in her voice. She was anxious to explain it further.

Johnny was in his best of behaviorsthat day. He tried his best not to offend anyone and to be respectful of everyone, especially his parents. That was part of his Good Friday resolution. Therefore it was easy for him to listen to his mom when she explained her words, “He died for you and for me.” Ever since, every time he looked at the crucifix, he was glad and grateful that Jesus had suffered and died for him.

Fr Xavier Thelakkatt