Everyone celebrates Easter differently. I honor the religious significance of the resurrection of Jesus. For many, Easter Sunday is a symbol of Jesus’s love and a day to celebrate the resurrection, a reminder of the hope and joy of the day.
All joy and peace to all, for He has risen.
The Friday that comes before Easter is Good Friday. Good Friday has religious significance since it is the day that Jesus Christ was crucified. Good Friday is regarded as a day of mourning among Christians. Special church services are held on Good Friday. Read on to discover why we believe.
After much research and calculations, religious scholars concluded that Jesus’ crucifixion took place on a Friday. The estimated year of Jesus’ crucifixion is 33 AD. Good Friday is also referred to as Black Friday, Holy Friday, and Great Friday.
The famous Bible story begins with Judas Iscariot’s betrayal of Jesus. Despite being one of Christ’s disciples, Judas betrayed Christ. Jesus was brought before the Roman governor Pontius Pilate. Although Pilate could not find any evidence against Jesus, he gave in to the crowd’s clamor to crucify Christ. Christ was flogged, made to wear a crown of thorns, and eventually crucified alongside two common criminals. The story goes that when Christ finally gave up his spirit there was an earthquake. This happened on Friday, which later came to be known as Good Friday.
Jesus’s followers later placed his body in a tomb just before sunset. However, the wondrous tale does not end here. On the third day, which is now known as Easter, Jesus rose from the grave. As an American author, Susan Coolidge put it, “Earth’s saddest day and gladdest day were just three days apart!” This is why most Easter quotes brim over with happiness. A famous quote by Carl Knudsen goes, “The story of Easter is the story of God’s wonderful window of divine surprise.” It’s why we believe.
The tale of Good Friday is incomplete without the optimism of Easter. Christ’s death by crucifixion is closely followed by his resurrection. Similarly, the promise of eternal life follows the despair of death. 20th century English Christian leader and Anglican cleric John Stott once proclaimed, “We live and die; Christ died and lived!” In these words lies the promise of Easter. The gloom of death is replaced with unsullied joy, an optimism that shines through in these words of St. Augustine, “And he departed from our sight that we might return to our heart, and there find Him. For He departed, and behold, He is here.” If you seek a deeper understanding of Christianity, this collection of Easter quotes and sayings may be insightful.
Christ’s death on the cross is regarded as the supreme sacrifice. The crucifixion and the following resurrection are widely regarded as the triumph of good over evil. Augustus William Hare, writer, historian and reverend, expressed his beliefs beautifully in the following lines, “The cross was two pieces of dead wood; and a helpless, unresisting Man was nailed to it; yet it was mightier than the world, and triumphed, and will ever triumph over it.” Learn more about the Christian beliefs about Christ’s crucifixion with these Good Friday quotes below.
The prevailing mood on Good Friday is that of repentance, not celebration. Churches remain undecorated on this Friday of the Holy Week. Church bells do not ring. Some churches cover the altar with black cloth as a sign of mourning.
On Good Friday, pilgrims to Jerusalem follow the path Jesus walked carrying his cross. The pilgrims stop at the twelve “stations of the cross”, as a reminder of Jesus’ sufferings and death. Similar walks are observed around the world, especially among Roman Catholics who undertake the walk in a bid to atone for Jesus’s agonies.
Special services are held in many churches. Some organize dramatic renderings of the events leading up to the crucifixion of Christ.
Children often look forward to eating hot cross buns on Good Friday. Hot cross buns are so-called because of the pastry cross that runs across them. The cross reminds Christians of the cross on which Jesus died. In addition to eating hot cross buns, families often clean their homes on Good Friday to prepare for the big celebration on Easter Sunday.
Among other things, Good Friday is a reminder of the compassion and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Whether or not you believe in religion, Good Friday tells us a tale of hope. The Bible upholds the teachings of Jesus — words of wisdom that are valid even after two thousand years.
Jesus spoke of love, forgiveness, and truth, and not of violence, fanaticism, or revenge. He urged his followers to tread the path of goodness. Regardless of whether Good Friday is near or far, we all stand to gain from these Jesus Christ quotes. Spread the Good Friday message of compassion and love through these quotes.
John 3:16
God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.
Augustus William Hare
The cross was two pieces of dead wood; and a helpless, unresisting Man was nailed to it; yet it was mightier than the world, and triumphed, and will ever triumph over it.
Robert G. Trache
Good Friday is the mirror held up by Jesus so that we can see ourselves in all our stark reality, and then it turns us to that cross and to his eyes and we hear these words, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.” That’s us!
Theodore Ledyard Cuyler
Exalt the Cross! God has hung the destiny of the race upon it. Other things we may do in the realm of ethics, and on the lines of philanthropic reforms; but our main duty converges into setting that one glorious beacon of salvation, Calvary’s Cross, before the gaze of every immortal soul.
William Penn
So shall we join the disciples of our Lord, keeping faith in Him in spite of the crucifixion, and making ready, by our loyalty to Him in the days of His darkness, for the time when we shall enter into His triumph in No pain, no palm; no thorns, no throne; no gall, no glory; no cross, no crown.
Robert G. Trache
There is no faith in Jesus without understanding that on the cross we see into the heart of God and find it filled with mercy for the sinner whoever he or she may be.
Bill Hybels
God led Jesus to a cross, not a crown, and yet that cross ultimately proved to be the gateway to freedom and forgiveness for every sinner in the world.
T. S. Eliot
The dripping blood our only drink,
The bloody flesh our only food:
In spite of which we like to think
That we are sound, substantial flesh and blood–
Again, in spite of that, we call this Friday good.
by & thoughtco.com
Credit: Richard Goerg/Getty Images
Pope Leo XIV is the new head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State. As the Successor of St. Peter and thus visible leader in unifying the faithful and advancing the Church’s God-given mission to “make disciples of all nations.”
He was elected pope in the 2025 conclave on May 8, 2025, following the death of Pope Francis. Born in Chicago, United States, Prevost served as a priest, bishop, and cardinal. Subsequently his ministry spanned the United States, Peru, and Rome/Vatican City. He first joined the Order of Saint Augustine as a young man and was ordained priest in 1982. His election marked a significant moment in Church history.
Markedly, He became the first American pontiff with him largely unknown to many Catholics prior to his papal election, including Americans. Indeed, Cardinal Prevost was a 66/1 longshot to become the Church’s 267th pope.
American cardinals who voted in the conclave played down the significance of the new pope’s roots in the United States, saying his service to the poor and the church had propelled him to the papacy.
Source: wikipedia©
Photo credit: people.com©
For those who have gone before us, we remember.
In the rising of the sun and in its going down, we remember them.
In the blowing of the wind and in the chill of winter, we remember them.
In the opening of buds and in the rebirth of spring, we remember them.
In the blueness of the sky and in the warmth of summer, we remember them.
In the rustling of their leaves and in the beauty of autumn, we remember them.
In the beginning of the year and when it ends, we remember them.
When we are weary and in need of strength, we remember them.
When we are lost and sick at heart, we remember them.
When we have joys we yearn to share, we remember them.
So long as we live, they too shall live, for they are now a part of us,
As we remember them
The month of April has so many things happening that’s it’s like April has something for everyone. You got your chocolate bunny to snack on, lilies to display, eggs to color (and find), sweet breads and hot cross buns to bake, hams to prepare, but really, it’s all about The Lamb.
Not the fuzzy white one. This week is about The Lamb of God, Jesus symbolized by a lamb. In ancient times, the lamb was a sacrifice made during the Jewish Passover. Jesus was crucified during Passover week making the ultimate sacrifice, His life. During Easter, we celebrate His journey from death to life.
It is the saddest time, Good Friday when He was crucified, but also the happiest when Jesus rose from the dead symbolizing eternal life for His believers. Yeah, it’s a solemn week. From sadness to celebration.
While we must say we love to use cream cheese when making desserts and often reach for it while baking, we realize there are times when you may prefer a recipe that doesn’t call for a block. Whether you’re having trouble finding cream cheese on the shelves of the supermarket or have family members that don’t particularly love the flavor, there are still plenty of dessert recipes you can make without it. From cakes to cookies to fudge and more, there is a long list of festive dessert recipes that don’t need cream cheese to be delicious. We’ve rounded up 21 of our best Christmas dessert ideas you can make this year without cream cheese.
Red Velvet Cake Crinkle Cookies
These crinkle cookies are rich, cakey, and slightly fudgy—kids will love them and adults will, too. Plus, there’s a surprise here. These treats are coated in a snowy layer of powdered sugar, just like classic crinkle cookies, but inside they’re more like velvety chocolate cake (with white chocolate chips!) than fudgy brownies. To ensure they have a nice deep hue, use gel food coloring rather than liquid. The latter won’t tint the batter as well.
Recipe: Red Velvet Cake Crinkle Cookies | Southern Living
Christmas Fudge
Among the most beloved holiday treats, fudge holds pride of place in gifted Christmas tins and on holiday party dessert tables. Make no mistake, the diversity of fudge flavors is endless, but when it comes to Christmas Fudge, we have the firm belief that simple and classic chocolate fudge is almost always a better choice than anything elaborate and novel. Our recipe makes the most of bittersweet and unsweetened baking chocolate by letting their flavor stand on their own while including a few other ingredients to enhance the richness and the silkiness of the fudge itself. Sweetened condensed milk and butter are used to transform the melted chocolate into a sweetened and milky ganache, while the salt, espresso powder, and vanilla compliment the flavor of the chocolate and make the depths of that flavor more pronounced. The secret ingredient in this recipe is the corn syrup which prevents any crystal formation in the fudge and allows the finished product to be perfectly smooth with a slight chew rather than a crumbly, powdery, and altogether disappointing piece of crystalized fudge. To keep with the theme of simplicity, the decoration for this fudge is a mix of red, green, and white sprinkles that lend a delightful crunchy contrast to the velvety texture of the fudge. Finally, the flake salt called for in the recipe is optional, but when used, it enhances the fudge squares with a subtle saltiness while also adding the visual appeal of flaky crystals—taking something that looks almost like a kid’s treat at Christmas and elevating it to something fun and sophisticated.
Recipe: Christmas Fudge Recipe | Southern Living
Old Fashioned Gingerbread
Nothing makes a house smell more like Christmas than the sweet and spicy aroma of a freshly baked pan of gingerbread. We’re not talking about the crisp cookies or the houses covered in icing and candy. The taste of those holiday delights just can’t compare to a slice of tender, richly spiced gingerbread cake. The practice of baking and sharing gingerbread originated in Europe several hundred years ago and then made its way to the colonial South as families immigrated to the region and brought their recipes and traditions with them. Ginger from Asia and dried spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, mace, allspice, and cloves arrived by ship into Southern ports and traveled inland because they were easy to transport and store. Whole dried spices kept well and retained their flavor and aroma for months. When combined with affordable sweeteners (like molasses or honey) and farmstead staples (such as butter and eggs), gingerbread could be made by home bakers when more expensive ingredients were not an option, which is why it became a wildly popular dessert. If you don’t have all the ground spices on hand, you can substitute two teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice along with the black pepper.
Recipe: Old Fashioned Gingerbread Recipe | Southern Living
Article By Jenna Sims for Southern Living©
Holiday Desserts You Can Make Without Cream Cheese | Southern Living
Rain down, rain down,
rain down your love on your people.
Rain down, rain down,
rain down your love, God of life.
1. Faithful and true is the word of our God;
all of God’s works are so worthy of trust.
God’s mercy falls on the just and the right;
full of God’s love is the earth.
2. We who revere and find hope in our God
live in the kindness and joy of God’s wing.
God will protect us from darkness and death;
God will not leave us to starve.
Until the 4th century, Jesus’ Last Supper, his death, and his Resurrection were observed in one single commemoration on the evening before Easter. Since then, those three events have been observed separately—Easter, as the commemoration of Jesus’ Resurrection, being considered the pivotal event.
The liturgical celebration of Good Friday has undergone various changes over the centuries. In the Roman Catholic Church, the mass is not celebrated on Good Friday, though a liturgy is performed. With the revival of a liturgical emphasis in Protestantism in the second half of the 20th century, a distinct trend of adopting Catholic ritual (no use of the organ in the service, draping of the cross, baring of the altar, etc.) developed.
Unlike Christmas and Easter, which have acquired numerous secular traditions, Good Friday has, because of its intense religious connotation, not led to an overlay of secular customs and practices.
Article credit: britannica.com/topic/Good-Friday
I’m reminded of this quote by the late Cardinal Fulton J. Sheen:
Mardi Gras has come and gone, now it is firmly Lent for those in the Christian faith and soon it will be Easter.
For millions of Christians, the holiday celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which occurs after a 40-day period known as Lent. Easter is often celebrated with church services and prayer. For many others, the Sunday is associated with brightly colored eggs and bunny rabbits.
Each year, Easter falls on a different Sunday. This year, Easter is Sunday, April 5th.
In Christianity, the day is a remembrance of the sacrifices of Jesus Christ. Even the eggs that people dye for Easter symbolize new life and rebirth, according to Britannica. The eggs also signify the empty tomb of Jesus. In Orthodox Christian tradition, eggs are painted red to symbolize the blood that Jesus shed on the cross.
Even non-Christians see the egg as a symbol of the regeneration that comes with springtime.
As for the Easter Bunny, that is a bit more vague on where the tradition comes from. However, since ancient times, the hare has been said to represent rebirth, according to Smithsonian Magazine.
Remember, Easter is the basis for faith-based Christianity-Jesus rising from the dead on the third day. In this time of uncertainty, I think we all need a framework of belief, of faith. Take this time to seek your framework for living and believing in a faith-based life. Stay well.
OK, I obviously didn’t write this hack. So, if you’re studying for finals, and eat an apple but fall asleep before finishing, just remember yours truly didn’t pen this hack. But I will be extremely sorry for you if you fail the final. Just sayin’. Blame these guys:
1000lifehacks.com
