Embracing the Promise of Good Friday: A Call to Love, Forgive, and Live in Peace

4 min readMar 29, 2024

Dr.Vijayalakshmi Aluri, Author, Social worker, Gynecologist, Sri Sri Holistic Hospital, Hyderabad

As the solemnity of Good Friday approaches, we are inspired to start on a profound journey of reflection, renewal, and reconciliation. In the shadow of the cross, we find not only a symbol of suffering but also a beacon of hope — a promise of love, forgiveness, and peace that resonates through the ages.

Good Friday marks the pinnacle of the Christian faith, commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his ultimate sacrifice for humanity. It is a day of deep introspection, where believers pause to contemplate the profound significance of Christ’s death and the profound implications it holds for their lives.

At the heart of Good Friday lies a powerful message — a promise — that transcends religious boundaries and speaks to the universal human experience. It is a promise to love unconditionally, to forgive relentlessly, and to embrace a life imbued with peace and compassion.

First and foremost, Good Friday calls us to embrace the transformative power of love. In the selfless act of laying down his life for others, Jesus exemplified the highest form of love, a love that knows no bounds and transcends all barriers. On this sacred day, we are reminded of the boundless love that God extends to each of us, calling us to reciprocate that love by loving one another as we love ourselves.

Moreover, Good Friday urges us to cultivate a spirit of forgiveness — a virtue that lies at the heart of the Christian message. In the midst of his suffering, Jesus uttered the words, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” In this profound act of forgiveness, Jesus exemplified the transformative power of mercy and reconciliation. As followers of Christ, we are called to emulate his example, extending forgiveness to those who have wronged us and releasing the burden of resentment that weighs heavy on our souls.

Furthermore, Good Friday challenges us to pursue peace — a peace that surpasses understanding and transcends the turmoil of this world. In a world marred by violence, injustice, and division, the promise of peace shines as a guiding light, signalling us to be instruments of reconciliation and agents of change. It calls us to stand in solidarity with the marginalized, to speak out against oppression, and to work tirelessly for the establishment of a more just and equitable society.

In essence, Good Friday beckons us to embrace the fullness of life — a life characterized by love, forgiveness, and peace. It challenges us to look beyond ourselves and to live in alignment with the values of the kingdom of God — a kingdom marked by righteousness, compassion, and grace.

As we commemorate Good Friday this year, let us heed the call to love, forgive, and live in peace. Let us embrace the promise that lies at the heart of this sacred day and allow it to transform our hearts and minds. And let us, in turn, become beacons of hope and agents of change in a world that is longing for the healing touch of God’s love and grace.