GOOD FRIDAY (I)

“God writes the gospel not in the Bible alone, but on trees and flowers and clouds and stars.” - Martin Luther

It is Good Friday today for the Western Churches and Easter Weekend tomorrow. Greek Easter is one week later this year, creating once again quite a disruption. It is a pity that the Eastern and Western churches still disagree on this after so many centuries since the schism. As if the world didn’t have greater problems to resolve, but rather watch the bickering of the clergy over vernal equinoxes, Julian and Gregorian calendars and what full moon to accept as the one that is the Paschal one. Oh for good sense to prevail! And even better sense would dictate that Easter be celebrated as a fixed feast, on the third Sunday of April every year!

Still, I suppose one may celebrate twice and partake of the traditions of both churches. It may be a small revenge, this tactic. I spent the whole day at home today working away on my book. I managed to get a lot done, but there is more to do, yet. Tradition in the West says today that we consume hot cross buns. Hot Cross Buns are baked on this day in memory of the kindly woman who gave Christ a loaf of bread on His way to Calvary. It is said that no bread or buns baked on this day will grow mouldy.

Good Friday comes this month, the old woman runs
With one-a-penny, two-a-penny, Hot Cross Buns
Whose virtue if you’ll believe what’s said
They’ll not grow mouldy like ordinary bread.

Hot Cross Buns protect sailors from shipwreck and houses from fire. Good Friday bread should be dried and kept for if is soaked in milk and consumed will cure all sorts of stomach ailments. Russian tradition and religious observance forbid baking on Good Friday.

Traditionally, fish is consumed on this day and this is even something that here in Australia many people still maintain as a tradition, even though they may not be religious. In fact, very often on many another Friday, the fish eating tradition remains and quite a few people will go and buy fish and chips routinely on Friday nights.

I hope you had a peaceful and relaxing day today and if you are celebrating Easter over this weekend, have a Happy Easter!