Good Friday, Easter celebrate Jesus’ sacrifice

As Easter approaches, area clergy say the holiday is a reminder of Jesus’ death and resurrection to pay for everyone’s sins regardless of their beliefs.
All Christian churches celebrate Jesus’ death on Good Friday and celebrate Jesus’ resurrection on Easter Sunday morning, the Rev. Danny Poche of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Morgan City said.
Some churches have sunrise services that represent resurrection as the sun rose, Poche said. “During the Easter season, we reflect on the price that Jesus paid for our salvation that he came and died on the cross to free us from our sinfulness,” Poche said.
All Christian churches believe that through Jesus’ death and resurrection, they hope to share in the eternal life Jesus has, Poche said.
“Whether people believe in Christ or not, his death is freedom that we have from our sinfulness,” Poche said.
Poche said purple is the color for Lent, and the color is changed to red on Good Friday. Finally, the color is changed to white on Easter Sunday, he said. The cloth draped across the cross in Holy Cross Catholic Church represents the shroud that Jesus’ body was wrapped in, Poche said. “On Good Friday, we put it in red because that’s the day he died. And on Easter Sunday we put it in white because that’s when he rose,” Poche said.
The Rev. C.F. Smith of Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church in Morgan City said Easter gives the world hope by following Jesus’ teachings and believing in him that his followers will one day live with Jesus.
Jesus rose from the dead three days after being crucified as he said he would, Smith said. If Jesus had not risen from the grave, going to church, doing right and believing in him would not be necessary, Smith said.
“He lives, though a lot of people may try to ignore it. But he still lives,” Smith said. “It’s a question of belief, and many people believe that.”
Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church celebrates Good Friday with other churches getting different preachers to speak at their services, Smith said. “On Sunday morning, naturally, the greatest celebration is that he arose. He’s alive, and he lives today. He lives in the hearts and minds of those who believe.”
In his Good Friday message, Bishop Michael Jarrell of the Diocese of Lafayette said, “Good Friday, we call it. Was it a good day or a bad day? It was certainly a day on which the violence and cruelty of humanity was on full display. Thus, a bad day. But it was also a day on which the love and generosity of Jesus were on display. Thus, a good day. Each day in our lives has the potential for both good and evil. ‘Father, forgive them. For they know not what they do,’ Jesus said of his tormentors. When we react like Jesus to evil that is thrust upon us by others, we turn evil into good. By his grace, we can make good days. On this Good Friday, we thank Jesus for his goodness and we pledge to add our own virtue to his as we pray, ‘We praise O Lord you and we bless you, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.’”
In his Easter message, Jarrell said, “The resurrection of Jesus has been called the crowning truth of the Christian faith. ‘If Christ is not risen,’ said St. Paul, ‘our faith is in vain.’ The annual commemoration of the Lord’s Resurrection is a time for joyful celebration, for family gatherings and for springtime festivals. It is also a time for quiet reflection, for a prayer of thanksgiving to the God who made us, who loves us and who saves us. We pray: ‘Lord God, you displayed your power and love by raising Jesus from the dead and you promised the same saving gift to his followers. Increase our faith; instruct us in your ways; envelop us in your love that we may receive the gift that you gave to Jesus and join you and all of the saints in eternity.’”
Bishop Shelton Fabre of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux said in his Easter message, “As we again recall, welcome and celebrate the joyful news of the Lord’s resurrection and the hope it promises, I pray that all of the grace of these days of our joy will be poured out abundantly on all who rejoice in the risen Lord. Our Lord Jesus Christ broke the chains of death and rose triumphant from the grave. Let joyful shouts of Alleluia!!! Alleluia!!! echo in our minds, hearts, and actions. May the joy of the risen Lord strengthen us for the crosses that we each carry, and fill our lives and hearts at Easter and throughout the Easter season! I ask God’s blessings upon all during these holiest days of the year. Alleluia!!”