Why Is It Called Good Friday?

A Quiet Reflection in the Midst of a Busy Day

Today is Good Friday.
And yet, for me, it felt like any other busy workday at the university.

The semester is coming to an end, and like many lecturers and staff, we are all rushing to complete final grades, assessments, and reports. This morning alone, I found myself going from one task to another. I had to make sure that all lecturers in our department had completed their grading and properly submitted everything into the system. It was one of those mornings where your mind is constantly ticking, checking, reminding, organizing.

At the same time, I was also helping prepare for our end of school lunch gathering for the academics and staff. This is something I have been tasked to do every year, and honestly, I gladly do it. It brings me joy to see our lecturers relax, laugh, and enjoy a moment of rest after a long and tiring season of teaching, checking papers, and meeting deadlines.

There is something special about seeing people loosen up after weeks of pressure.

But today was not just any day.

It is Good Friday.

And in the middle of all the busyness, I found myself quietly reflecting.

A Busy Day Meets a Holy Day

It just so happened that our gathering fell during Passion Week. And while many around me were focused on finishing tasks and preparing food, there was a gentle reminder in my heart about what this day truly means.

Read Previous Blog Posts:
Why Passion Week Matters? 🙏 
Why do we Fast? 💕 

Good Friday 👈

One of my colleagues, Bede, our Program Leader in the Business department, is a devoted Catholic. We may come from different traditions, but somehow, we share the same respect and understanding when it comes to this sacred week.

I made sure to inform my team to consider some food preferences for today. On Good Friday, Bede does not eat meat. We also have colleagues who are Muslims and Hindus, and they too have their own food practices.

So today, instead of our usual menu, we also prepared something different specifically for them. We ordered cheesy pizza, salad, garlic bread, and a selection of fruits. Simple, but thoughtful.
And when the food arrived and was handed out, I saw their smiles.
They felt respected. And that, to me, mattered.
In a small way, it was an act of love.

Singing for an Audience of One

Another unexpected moment today was when each faculty was asked to have a representative sing.

I did not plan for it.

But somehow, I found myself standing in front.

And I chose to sing a Filipino worship song titled Dakilang Katapatan. 

As I stood there, I knew that not everyone would understand the words. Many of my colleagues are foreigners and Khmers. Some are from other religious backgrounds. The language was not familiar to them.
But my heart was full.
Because I was not singing for entertainment.
I was singing for Jesus.

Today, as we remember His suffering on the cross, I wanted to offer something from my heart. Even if the audience did not fully understand, I knew that God did.

Before I sang, I briefly shared that today is Good Friday, a sacred day for us in the faith community. A day where we remember the suffering, the sacrifice, and the love of Jesus.

Then I sang. And as I did, it became a quiet moment of worship.
For a moment, the busy day paused.

Why Is It Called Good Friday? 👈

This is a question I used to ask myself.
How can a day filled with suffering, pain, and death be called good?
Jesus was beaten.
He was mocked.
He was pierced.
He was nailed to a cross.
There seems to be nothing good about that.

But everything changed when I came to understand this verse:

“By His wounds we are healed.”
From Isaiah 53:5

This verse speaks so clearly and so simply.
Jesus suffered for us.
He took our place.
The pain that should have been ours, He carried.
The punishment that we deserved, He received.
And because of that, we are forgiven.
We are healed.
We are saved.
That is why it is called Good Friday.
Not because the suffering was good.
But because the outcome was good for us.
It was love in its deepest form.

A Love That Took Our Place

Sometimes it is hard to fully grasp this truth.
We go about our daily routines. We work. We cook. We take care of our families. We handle responsibilities. Life goes on.

But today is a reminder to pause.
To remember that Jesus did not just die.
He chose to die for us. It was personal. It was intentional. It was love.
In Isaiah 53:5, we see the heart of God.
A God who did not turn away from our brokenness.
A God who stepped into our place.
A God who made a way for us to come back to Him.
And that is something we should never take lightly.

Living This Truth in Cambodia

Living and serving here in Cambodia has taught me many things.
Life here is simple in many ways, but also full of challenges. People are hardworking. Families are close. Faith is deeply woven into culture, even if it looks different from what we are used to.
As I reflect on Good Friday, I realize that this message is not just for me.
It is for everyone.
For the colleague who watched me sing today.
For the student who is tired and searching for purpose.
For the mother who is doing her best to raise her children.
For the young professional who feels lost and uncertain.
Jesus died for all.
And His love reaches all.

Three Reflections for Our Hearts

Let me share three simple reflections as we remember Good Friday together.

1. Pause and Remember

In the middle of our busy lives, it is easy to forget.
We move from one task to another. We focus on deadlines, responsibilities, and plans.
But today invites us to pause.
To remember what Jesus has done.
Take a moment.
Sit quietly.
Reflect on His sacrifice.

Question to reflect:
When was the last time I truly paused to thank Jesus for what He has done for me?

Prayer:
Lord, in the middle of my busy life, help me to pause and remember You. Thank You for Your sacrifice. Thank You for loving me even when I forget to slow down and reflect. Teach my heart to always come back to You. Amen.

2. Receive His Love Personally

Sometimes we hear about the cross so often that it becomes familiar.
But this love is personal.
Jesus knows you.
He sees you.
He loves you.
And He chose the cross for you.
Not because you are perfect, but because He is full of grace.

Question to reflect:
Do I truly believe that Jesus loves me personally, just as I am?

Prayer:
Lord, help me to receive Your love fully. Remove any doubt in my heart. Remind me that Your sacrifice was for me. Teach me to rest in Your grace and not in my own efforts. Amen.

3. Share His Love in Simple Ways

Today, I did not preach a sermon.
I simply prepared food.
I respected others’ preferences.
I sang a song.
And somehow, those small acts became a way to reflect His love.
We do not always need big platforms.
Sometimes, love is shown in simple, quiet ways.

Question to reflect:
How can I show the love of Jesus to someone around me today?

Prayer:
Lord, use my life to reflect Your love. Even in simple ways, help me to be kind, thoughtful, and gentle. Let others see You through my actions. Amen.

A Song from the Heart

The song I sang today carries a message that I hold dear.
It speaks of God’s faithfulness.
That even when we fall short, His grace remains.
That His love never ends.
And as I sang those words, I was reminded that Good Friday is not the end.
There is hope.
There is life.
There is a promise that goes beyond the cross.

A Gentle Invitation

If you are reading this and you are part of the faith community, I encourage you to reflect deeply today.
And if you are someone who is still searching, still wondering, still unsure, this message is also for you.
You are loved. And the CROSS is proof of that.

Good Friday is not just a story.

It is an invitation.
An invitation to know Jesus.
An invitation to receive His love.
An invitation to start a relationship with Him.
Today may have felt like an ordinary busy day for many of us.
Work continued.
Tasks were completed.
People gathered and shared meals.
But behind all of that, there is a deeper truth.

Jesus gave His life for us.
And that changes everything.

So today, as the day comes to an end, I pray that we will not miss the meaning of this day.
That in the quiet of our hearts, we will remember.
That we will be thankful.
That we will draw closer to Him.
Because that is what makes this Friday truly good.

How's your Good Friday? 
The Hourngs in Cambodia 💕🙏