{"id":5823,"date":"2026-04-02T23:23:40","date_gmt":"2026-04-02T21:23:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/catholicus.eu\/en\/?p=5823"},"modified":"2026-04-02T23:23:40","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T21:23:40","slug":"good-friday-unmasks-our-faith-do-we-follow-christ-or-do-we-only-admire-him","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/catholicus.eu\/en\/good-friday-unmasks-our-faith-do-we-follow-christ-or-do-we-only-admire-him\/","title":{"rendered":"Good Friday Unmasks Our Faith: Do We Follow Christ\u2026 or Do We Only Admire Him?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Each year, Good Friday breaks into our lives like an uncomfortable mirror. It is not a joyful celebration, nor an empty ritual we can pass through without being touched within. At its core, it is a direct question to the heart: what kind of relationship do we truly have with Christ?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because there is a profound\u2014though often imperceptible\u2014difference between admiring Jesus<\/strong> and truly following Him<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And Good Friday, in all its starkness, allows no self-deception.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

1. The Drama of Good Friday: More Than a Memory, a Judgment on Our Faith<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Good Friday is not simply the commemoration of an unjust execution that took place more than two thousand years ago. It is the living re-presentation of the mystery of the Cross<\/strong>, where both the infinite love of God and the ambiguous response of humanity are revealed at once.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the Passion, we encounter every possible face of faith:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • Those who acclaimed Jesus<\/strong> on Palm Sunday\u2026 and days later cry out \u201cCrucify Him!\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Those who follow Him from a distance<\/strong>, like Peter<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Those who abandon Him<\/strong>, like most of the disciples<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Those who observe without acting<\/strong>, like Pilate<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • And those who remain faithful<\/strong>, like Mary and the beloved disciple<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    This mosaic is not merely history. It is a portrait of our own soul<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The Gospel gives us a clear warning:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n

    \u201cNot everyone who says to me, \u2018Lord, Lord,\u2019 will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father\u201d (Matthew 7:21)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

    Here lies the key: authentic faith is not mere admiration, but obedience, self-giving, and real discipleship<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n\n\n\n

    2. Admiring Christ: A Comfortable\u2026 but Insufficient Faith<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    We live in a time where Jesus is widely accepted\u2026 as long as He does not disturb too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    He is admired as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    • A great moral teacher<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • A symbol of love<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • A defender of the poor<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • An inspiring figure<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      But this kind of relationship with Christ, though seemingly positive, can be profoundly superficial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Admiration does not imply commitment.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      We can admire without changing our lives.
      We can admire without renouncing sin.
      We can admire without carrying the cross.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      And here lies the danger: a faith reduced to sympathy is a faith that does not save<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Jesus Himself makes this clear:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n

      \u201cWhoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me\u201d (Luke 9:23)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

      Following implies:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      • Renunciation<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Conversion<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Sacrifice<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Faithfulness in what is hidden<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        It is not enough to be moved by the Cross. One must climb onto it with Christ<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n\n\n\n

        3. Following Christ: A Faith That Transforms Life<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        To follow Christ means to enter into a real, living, and demanding relationship with Him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        It is not an idea.
        It is not a passing emotion.
        It is a daily decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        From a theological perspective, following Christ means participating in His Paschal Mystery:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \n
        • Dying to sin<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Living for God<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Being conformed to Him<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

          Saint Paul expresses this with striking radicality:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \n

          \u201cI have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me\u201d (Galatians 2:20)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

          This is the core of Christian life: interior transformation<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Good Friday reminds us that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \n
          • There is no Christianity without the Cross<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • There is no true love without sacrifice<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • There is no resurrection without prior death<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
            \n\n\n\n

            4. The Cross Today: The Great Scandal of Our Time<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

            In a society that flees from suffering, sacrifice, and any form of limitation, the Cross becomes uncomfortable\u2014even scandalous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Today people seek:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              \n
            • Success without effort<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Love without commitment<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Freedom without truth<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

              But the Cross dismantles all these illusions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              It tells us that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                \n
              • Authentic love costs<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • Truth demands<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • A full life passes through self-giving<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                That is why many prefer an \u201cadapted\u201d Christ, without demands. A Christ who inspires\u2026 but does not transform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Yet Good Friday brings us back to the real Christ:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  \n
                • Wounded<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • Rejected<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • Given completely to the end<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                  A Christ who did not come to please, but to save<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  \n\n\n\n

                  5. Where Are We in the Passion?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                  This is the great pastoral question of Good Friday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  It is not enough to contemplate the scene.
                  We must place ourselves within it<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  Are we like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    \n
                  • Peter, who promises fidelity but fails in the test?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  • Pilate, who recognizes the truth but does not act?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  • The crowd, carried away by dominant opinion?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  • Or Mary, who remains faithful in suffering?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                    The answer must not be theoretical. It must be existential<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    Because every day we have the opportunity to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      \n
                    • Defend Christ or deny Him<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                    • Choose truth or comfort<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                    • Love to the end\u2026 or withdraw<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
                      \n\n\n\n

                      6. Practical Applications: Living Good Friday Every Day<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                      Good Friday does not end when we leave the church. It continues in daily life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      a) In the family<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                      To love when it is difficult. To forgive when it hurts. To remain when it would be easier to leave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      b) At work<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                      To act with integrity, even when it has consequences. Not to betray one\u2019s conscience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      c) In spiritual life<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
                        \n
                      • To pray even when nothing is felt<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                      • To be faithful in small things<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                      • To seek God\u2019s will above one\u2019s own<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                        d) In suffering<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                        To accept the cross without despair, uniting it to Christ\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                        As Scripture says:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                        \n

                        \u201cIf we died with Him, we will also live with Him; if we endure, we will also reign with Him\u201d (2 Timothy 2:11\u201312)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

                        \n\n\n\n

                        7. A Faith That Moves from Admiration to Self-Giving<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                        The great fruit of Good Friday should be this: to move from spectators to disciples<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                        It is not enough to say:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          \n
                        • \u201cHow beautiful the Gospel is\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                        • \u201cWhat an admirable example\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                          We must take the decisive step:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                            \n
                          • \u201cLord, I want to truly follow You\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                            This implies:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                              \n
                            • Leaving comfort zones<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                            • Breaking with sin<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                            • Reordering priorities<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                            • Living for God and not for oneself<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
                              \n\n\n\n

                              Conclusion: The Silence of the Cross Calls Us<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                              Good Friday ends in silence. Christ dies. Everything seems lost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                              But within that silence lies a powerful truth:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                              God has loved to the very end. Now it is our turn to respond.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                              The Cross does not ask for applause.
                              It asks for conversion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                              It does not seek admirers.
                              It seeks disciples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                              And the question remains open, direct, unavoidable:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                              When everything grows dark, when following Christ becomes difficult, when faith demands\u2026
                              do we follow Christ\u2026 or do we only admire Him?<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                              Each year, Good Friday breaks into our lives like an uncomfortable mirror. It is not a joyful celebration, nor an empty ritual we can pass through without being touched within. At its core, it is a direct question to the heart: what kind of relationship do we truly have with Christ? Because there is a …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":5824,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","_seopress_robots_follow":"","_seopress_robots_imageindex":"","_seopress_robots_snippet":"","_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_robots_breadcrumbs":"","_seopress_robots_freeze_modified_date":"","_seopress_robots_custom_modified_date":"","_seopress_robots_canonical":"","_seopress_social_fb_title":"","_seopress_social_fb_desc":"","_seopress_social_fb_img":"","_seopress_social_fb_img_attachment_id":0,"_seopress_social_fb_img_width":0,"_seopress_social_fb_img_height":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_title":"","_seopress_social_twitter_desc":"","_seopress_social_twitter_img":"","_seopress_social_twitter_img_attachment_id":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_img_width":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_img_height":0,"_seopress_redirections_value":"","_seopress_redirections_enabled":"","_seopress_redirections_enabled_regex":"","_seopress_redirections_logged_status":"","_seopress_redirections_param":"","_seopress_redirections_type":0,"_seopress_analysis_target_kw":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[41,66],"tags":[770],"class_list":["post-5823","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","","category-faith-and-culture","category-popular-culture-and-catholicism","tag-good-friday"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/catholicus.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5823","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/catholicus.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/catholicus.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/catholicus.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/catholicus.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5823"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/catholicus.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5823\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5825,"href":"https:\/\/catholicus.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5823\/revisions\/5825"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/catholicus.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5824"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/catholicus.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5823"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/catholicus.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5823"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/catholicus.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5823"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}