Courage Expands Your World: Good Friday
Call To Action's 2023 Lenten Calendar is a collaboration between the Anti-Racism Team (ART) and Indigenous Solidarity Collective. This calendar provides more than 40 days of prayer and study to guide our discernment of racial justice and lead us into solidarity with Indigenous communities. For each Sunday and holy day during Lent, we'll publish a reflection from an ART or Indigenous Solidarity Collective member. Following the reflection, we’ll feature a call to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada as well as discussion questions for your own meditation.
Good Friday: April 7, 2023
“Life shrinks or expands according to one’s courage.”
Some of the most vivid memories from my childhood are related to the liturgies of the Easter Triduum. Although Easter Mass was delightful, it was the events related to Good Friday that impacted me the most. I took this day very seriously; after all, this was the day Jesus died for me so I could get into Heaven. If the day was sunny, I would be disappointed and a bit angry at nature for not respecting the solemnity of what was about to happen. When fasting, I thought about how hungry Jesus must have been. During the Good Friday service, I hung onto every word of the long Gospel reading and conjured up images of ancient times, placing myself there and entering into the experiences of different people. My childish heart embraced Peter’s fear and Mary’s sorrow. As I read the scripture today, I see an invitation to go deeper.
Today’s Gospel passage begins with the arrest of Jesus, followed by his first interrogation. A good portion of this account focuses on Peter’s actions. We hear that he cut off Malchus’ ear and went on to deny Jesus three times, as Jesus predicted. We learn that fear drove Peter to these denials. We know he ran away and cried. What might go unnoticed is the way in which Jesus was, at the same time, speaking truth to power during his interrogation. Peter shrinks from his discipleship when faced with a handful of servants. Jesus owns his mission and message before a person of power. Peter runs away and physically hides while Jesus courageously continues the journey that ends with his death. Peter’s world shrinks as he allows fear to grow. Jesus’ world expands beyond imagining.
From other Gospel writers, we know that those who remain at the foot of the cross journey with Jesus as he staggers his way to Golgotha. While there was sorrow along this way, those who go with him, including Jesus’ own mother, also provide comfort and public witness. Mary’s pain at seeing her son abused was real, but so was her courage. She could have stayed home and received news from others. She could have followed Jesus at a distance and mourned privately. She could have run away when things got too hard. Instead, Mary ended up in the one place that left no doubt as to her love and support of Jesus—her identity as a disciple. And in this place, Mary received the blessing of an expanded life that included a new son and a new home.
Living a life that challenges the many forms of oppression in both our society and the institutional church is hard. As we enter the Easter Triduum, examine the role fear takes as we fight to claim authentic discipleship for ourselves and our church. Seek courage from the Holy Spirit and pray for the gifts that will allow you to declare: I am Jesus’ disciple! I am here to create a church that welcomes and nourishes all people. Will you join me on this journey?
—This Good Friday reflection was written by CTA Executive Director Donna Tarney.
Discussion Questions
How is fear preventing you from working to change oppressive behaviors and structures in yourself, your family, your community, and the institutional church?
What are two concrete steps you will take, during the next week, to overcome this fear and act for justice? (Hint: You might want to reach out to others!)
Suggestions for Almsgiving
As part of your Lenten practice, please consider donating to one or more of the following organizations:
Native American Land Conservancy
Shinnecock Kelp Farmers
About the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada
Between 2007 and 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada recorded the testimonies of more than 6,000 First Nations people across Canada either directly or indirectly affected by the residential school system. In June 2015, the commission released a final report with 94 calls to action directed at the Canadian government. The final 52 calls to action focus on reconciliatory policy implementation for the dismantling of systemic racism against Indigenous Peoples in Canada.
Call to Action 90 - 91
Sports and Reconciliation
90. We call upon the federal government to ensure that national sports policies, programs, and initiatives are inclusive of Aboriginal peoples, including, but not limited to, establishing:
i. In collaboration with provincial and territorial governments, stable funding for, and access to, community sports programs that reflect the diverse cultures and traditional sporting activities of Aboriginal peoples.
ii. An elite athlete development program for Aboriginal athletes.
iii. Programs for coaches, trainers, and sports officials that are culturally relevant for Aboriginal peoples. iv. Anti-racism awareness and training programs.
91. We call upon the officials and host countries of international sporting events such as the Olympics, Pan Am, and Commonwealth games to ensure that Indigenous peoples’ territorial protocols are respected, and local Indigenous communities are engaged in all aspects of planning and participating in such events.
