We draw near to the end of Lent, and to the week of our Lord’s Passion. It is here that we witness He who is the beginning and the end reach His earthly end, His earthly goal, in being sacrificed for the sin of the world on the cross. 
 
This will happen on that Friday we call ‘good.’ In Germany this day is called Karfreitag, meaning ‘the Friday of Grieving.’ Among the Nordic countries, it is called ‘the Long Friday.’ In both cases they emphasize the agony and suffering of Christ. I think it should be said that we English speakers are right in calling this day not ‘long’ or ‘grieving’, but ‘good.’ 
 
For indeed on this day was every good bestowed on humanity by the Divine Love. From the pierced side and holy heart of our God flowed forth every eternal blessing. Though our Lord suffered, yet he suffered willingly, for what He does, He does of His own accord, that we might be redeemed, and inherit the heavens and the earth. 
 
And though we rightly grieve at once again hearing of our Lord’s wonderful sacrifice, yet we need not mourn, for three days later, He shall rise victorious over every earthly power, over every demonic authority; He shall rise, and with Him, all who will receive Him. 
 
It may seem that, during this season of Holy Week, Christ reaches His end, His purpose. Yet the Father shall raise Him Easter Sunday to His eternal beginning, and so shall He raise you, and all the forgiven. 
 
So shall it be that Jesus, who is the beginning and the end shall, in His passion, grant to us mortals, who must come to an end, a beginning which shall know no end.