Death On A Friday Afternoon

I can think of no better way to finish Lent and prepare for Easter than to spend a few hours with Father Neuhaus's most recent book, Death on a Friday Afternoon. Nor does it matter if you don't have time to get it all read before Easter because, as Neuhaus writes at the beginning, "Good Friday is not just one day of the year. It is a day relived in every day of the world, and of our lives in the world....Every day of the year is a good day to think more deeply about Good Friday, for Good Friday is the drama of love by which our every day is sustained."The scope and implicit aim of this book are formidable; even more remarkable, this extended meditation accomplishes everything it set out to do. Don't expect a soppy, mystical, pie-in-the-sky reflection on the death of Christ. Here is a keen examination of tough love in action, the love of a God who accepted trial at the hands of His creatures and took on Himself their impudent verdict: "Guilty."Each chapter is devoted to one of the Seven Words from the Cross, and in each case, Fr. Neuhaus shows how these words, spoken nearly two millenia ago on a certain Friday afternoon in history, still pierce our lives today--if we will let them. One of the great strengths of the book is its application of the truth of the Cross to modern life. What practical effect does each of these words have on each of us? This question is amply answered in such a way that the reader comes to understand personally how he is obligated to be crucified with Christ if he professes himself a follower.Another strength of this book is its stark presentation of the cost of being a Christian. Christianity is no feel-good religion; it's about following a God who was crucified and about bearing the burden of having encountered Truth. It is not, says Neuhaus, so much that Christians *have* the truth, but that they must faithfully insist that they have been encountered by the Truth, by What Is, by the great Reality of God and all His creation. This insistence, not only that there is such a thing as Truth, but also that man can be encountered by it, is yet another great strength of this book.By no means is the material here limited to abstract theological discussion. It is simply and gently written, accessible to most people. I would think it would be especially valuable to those who might be curious as to why Christians believe that the Crucifixion is such a big deal. Neuhaus speaks of the suffering of specific people at specific times in history and shows how all suffering has been given meaning through the suffering of Christ.This book is good for the mature Christian and the inquirer alike--something one can say about few books. Buy it for yourself and get a copy or two for your friends.

Reverend Neuhaus was a great writer but most of his writings are more philosophical. This book is more historical and perfect for Christians read on Good Friday - or any other day.

Bishop Sheen delves into and brings to life the deep meaning of Christ's crucifixion for the remission ofour sins more vividly than any other.

This is one of the most profoundly moving books I have ever read. I re-read it every year during lent, and it never fails to move me in the same way as before. Here is why.In the final scene of "Saving Private Ryan," Ryan himself, now much older, is visiting the grave of the soldier who saved him. He recalls the final words of the dying soldier who rescued him, a plea to make his life worthy of the sacrifice being given. In tears, he asks his wife whether he has in fact lived his life in a way that justifies that sacrifice.Although "Death on a Friday Afternoon" is far too complex and nuanced to be summarized succinctly, one of its objectives (which it fulfills admirably) is to look its reader directly in the face and ask, "Are you in fact living your life in a way that justifies the sacrifice that Jesus made to save it?"Two brief excerpts provide a glimpse of this book's seriousness and importance:"Our lives are measured not by the lives of others, not by our own ideals, not by what we think might reasonably be expected of us, although by each of those measures we acknowledge failings enough. Our lives are measured by who we are created and called to be, and the measuring is done by the One who creates and calls. . .""To belittle our sins is to belittle ourselves, to belittle who it is that God creates and calls us to be."This book is a call to seriousness about living our lives in response to what God has done for us.There is much more as well. Don't miss it.

The shipping and delivery was very fast and the DVD was better than advertised.

So far into this book really catched your attention and am enjoying it.

I have 5-6 of them. The book itself stands alone. I’ve read it more often than I remember. I like the book. I’ve purchased it elsewhere in the past. Where Amazon comes in is in the fact that they had it available and at a reasonable price. I’ll probably buy here again for that reason

I was expecting a series of meditative devotionals, so i was disappointed with long chapters of a philosophical/theoretical nature. This may suit others depending on what they seek.

Impressive book, putting Jesus last days in a detailled perspective from a closer point of view. You are set back into the time of 2000 years ago, giving you a feel of what living among the Romans really meant. But not only historically, the happenings in Jesus' last week of his life, suffering, and death and how it effected him emotionally, spiritually and physically impacts you as well. A goose skin producing book.

This is a profound and well constructed series of meditations on the Last words of Jesus from the Cross. Fr Neuhaus explores the theological implications of our Lord's Passion and how the Lord's sacrifice affects all of us. He eloquently expounds the meaning of Good Friday and its connection with the great truths of Holy Scripture. There are many references from both the Old and New Testaments in addition to quotations from the Church Fathers and contemporary authors. All in all Fr Neuhaus's book is an excellent introduction to the Christian Faith. He covers a wide range of belief and relates it to our personal human experience. This is a great book and ought to be read by all of us who think we know it all.The author has a most attractive style of writing and expresses himself in an engaging manner.

I had high hopes for this book after looking at the reviews on Amazon's ".com" site. They weren't fulfilled!Reviews there had warned of "a degree" of Catholicism in the book but "it doesn't intrude" they said. In my opinion it intrudes VERY, VERY significantly.I admit I gave up with this book after three chapters (it's rare for me not to finish a book)....it just wasn't getting any better. Chapter two, "Today you will be with me in Paradise", was largely to do with speculation on "Universalism" ie, all will be saved regardless of faith.Chapter three,"Behold your mother", was largely "Mariology".I had hoped for and expected meditations on the seven "words" from the cross that would draw on other relevent scriptures with helpful insights, instead it was largely human reasoning that often denied scripture.VERY DISAPPOINTING.