Forgiveness Friday

Devotionals Forgiveness Friday 3/18/2024 - by: Shawn Randall Fisher - Starting With Scripture Share The Rev. Shawn Fisher is Senior Pastor at First Congregational Church of Bloomfield, CT Scripture: Luke 23:33-34a (NRSV) 33 When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” Reflection: Forgiveness Friday I’ve always had an issue with the term “Good Friday”. Maybe you do too. There simply was nothing good about that day. A kind man, doing remarkable things for people in great need was betrayed, captured, tortured beyond the ability for words to describe, nailed to a cross through His hands and feet, and left to drown in His own fluids over a period of many hours. There’s nothing good about that. Nothing. He was mocked and spat upon and hung on that cross to increase His shame and that of His family and followers. That’s what Jesus was considered, a criminal, maybe a rebel. Jesus was no more special to the Roman executioners than the tens of thousands of others they crucified over time. He suffered no more and no less than most others. There was nothing good about that. I am aware that when the term, “Good Friday” came about, the word “Good” had a different connotation, more like, “holy”. That doesn’t work for me either. There was nothing holy about that day. It was brutal and it was ugly and just one more example of empire abusing its power brutally. You see, I don’t believe God planned it all out this way. I don’t believe this was God’s plan all along to reconcile humanity to Godself. It wasn’t God’s plan and it wasn’t holy. One thing amazes me more than any other about that day though. Jesus forgiving those who do this to Him. “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” That amazes me. That challenges me. That causes me to take a step back, catch my breath, and say, “He said what???” He forgave THAT? He forgave THEM? THAT’s the standard??? That amazes me. That makes me want to be better. That makes me want to follow Jesus even more closely and even more deeply. That makes me want to be a better pastor and a better person. To me, that’s one of the most exceptional things Jesus did during His entire earthly ministry. Jesus forgiving the unforgivable. Jesus setting that standard. Jesus being that good… right to the very end. So, this year, after talking it over with our Board of Deacons, we’re changing “Good Friday” to “Forgiveness Friday”. I think it’s a better focus. I think it’s overdue. I bet it makes a difference for a lot of people. It will for me. It did for them. Maybe it will for you too. PRAYER Gracious God, Thank You for sending Jesus to show us what is possible. Thank You for not condescending to us that we cannot be like Him. Rather, thank You for lifting up the challenge to do what He did and more. Help us remember that this is possible. Help us remember that this is what we are called to do. Help us remember that this who we are called to be. Amen New Prayer Requests: We ask churches and church leaders to join us in the following prayers either by sharing them during worship, printing them in bulletins, or sharing them in some other way. To make a prayer request, please contact Marlene Gasdia-Cochrane at cochranem@sneucc.org. Prayers of Intercession: For the people of Ukraine and the Middle East whose lives continue to be shattered by war, as well as the many landscapes that are currently embroiled in conflicts . For those grieving or suffering due to the ~3,200 gun violence deaths that happened in the US since the start of the year. For the people of Haiti as they face even more violence than we ever believed possible. Pray for God to grant them additional strength to face the unimaginable fear and to bring Peace to their country. (Requested by Shirley Hardison, Rhode Island Haiti Task Force of the SNECUCC Haiti Partnerships) Prayers of Joy and Thanksgiving: For persistent calls to ministry and the courage to answer them. For those who show up and make a difference. For a day filled with prayerful music, lively interactive sessions and workshops, keen game-playing, swap shopping, testimonial filming, hallway chats, and lots of inspiration. For clergywomen leadership. For opportunities to regroup, including praying together. (You are invited to participate in Pause for Prayer, Wednesdays @ 12:30, Live on Facebook. Add your prayers through the chat feature, and recordings can be found on the SNEUCC Facebook page or our webpage.) This Week in History: March 19, 2003 (21 years ago): The United States, along with coalition forces primarily from the United Kingdom, initiates war on Iraq in order to "free its people and to defend the world from grave danger." [History] “Study the past if you would define the future.” — Confucius Pastor Shawn Fisher Shawn Randall Fisher The Rev. Shawn Fisher is Senior Pastor at First Congregational Church of Bloomfield, CT.