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Barnes in Commonthe magazine of Churches Together in Barnes
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The Good Friday Processionby Fr Anthony LoganFor God so loved the world that he gave his only Son. The practice of our churches witnessing in this way has been a feature in many localities since the 1970s. In those early days the BBC televised one such event over on Blackheath (how much recognition of the sacred character of this day shall we see this year, I wonder?). In Barnes, there has been a procession for the past 19 years. Crucifixion was the method of execution reserved by the Romans for the most despised of criminals; the cross was a mark of shame. For the early Christians it was soon viewed in a quite different light as the symbol of Christ's triumph, a triumph in which we are called to share through the waters of baptism. It is the tree of victory as opposed to that fateful tree in the Garden of Eden. On Good Friday the words of the Passion narrative bring home to us the price that Jesus paid in our redemption, as he stood before Pilate, as he was scourged and crowned with thorns and as he made the painful journey along the Way of the Cross, the Via Dolorosa. When Good Friday comes, remember that it is our silent walk of witness, proud to profess our faith in the Suffering Servant, led as a lamb to the slaughter, who was raised high on Calvary to draw all mankind to himself. Some of the bystanders may be moved to join us to see what it is all about. For ourselves, if we continue to walk faithfully with him we shall be with him too in his Resurrection that confirms the Triumph of the Cross. The silent procession meets at the river end of Barnes High Street at 11.30am and walks along the High Street, Church Road and Castlenau to St. Osmund's Church. All welcome. |
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