Two most powerful symbols that can influence and transform the lives of the followers of Jesus are the Eucharist and the Cross, irrespective of their doctrinal and theological ramifications. Unfortunately, both have become objects of worship over time to the extent of neglecting their relevance to the day-to-day life of the followers of Jesus. The disciples of Jesus have to ask themselves during the Holy Week how the Eucharist and the Cross are affecting and transforming their lives.

During the Holy Week, many Chrisitan Churches and groups recall and reenact three crucial events from the life of Jesus: institution of the Eucharist and washing the feet of disciples by Jesus on the Maundy Thursday and Jesus' death on the Cross on the Good Friday. Many Catholics take part in a solemn way of the Cross on Good Friday to express their solidarity with Jesus who was tortured and crucified unjustly. Christians, in general, believe that by taking part in the Eucharistic celebration, they become recipients of grace that were made available to mankind by the death of Jesus. At the same time, the life-transforming dimension of the Eucharist is often sidelined or even forgotten.

In a way the Eucharist summarises the whole life of Jesus: a life of complete availability to people, unconditional forgiveness, offering His being and having at the altar of selfless service to others, inclusiveness that embraced all without any discrimination, transcending petty identities and focusing on the identity of humanity and divine presence in every human being, living in communion with all and the nature and always being grateful to God, the Father.

The institution of Eucharist during the last meal Jesus shared with his disciples was an invitation to his disciples to become Eucharist like Jesus, a life to be shared through selfless love in order to give life to others.
When Jesus said, "Do this in memory of me," he meant not a mere ritualistic celebration of the Eucharist as developed by the later followers of Jesus, but mainly living the Eucharist as Jesus did and continued by the early Christian Communities as described in the Acts of the Apostles, 4:32-36.

It is very unfortunate that some followers of Jesus fight with each other in the name of rituals related to Eucharistic celebration. Fighting over rituals is a negation of the teachings of Jesus and what the Eucharist signifies. In fact, it is a desecration of the Eucharist. Weaponising Eucharist is a sacrilege. Punishing people for not following a particular rubric in the celebration of Eucharist is nothing but weaponising the Eucharist.

Closely related to the Eucharist is washing the feet of disciples by Jesus, which is a symbol of humble service. Jesus called his disciples not to rule and control over people of God but to be at their service in humility, being Good Shepherds. A priest in the Christian tradition and according to the mind of Jesus is not a pujari but a good shepherd who knows people and their problems, who goes in front to lead people by being a role model in following the way of Jesus, who is concerned about the safety and security of people and who is prepared to do any sacrifice for the sake of people, including laying down his life.

Jesus became a "priest" because of his sacrificial life that culminated in his passion and death. A follower of Jesus becomes a priest not merely by the ordination, but mainly because of his availability, service, forgiveness, care and compassion for people. It is an ongoing process.
Maundy Thursday celebration motivates the followers of Jesus to live the Eucharist and the priests to become Good Shepherd model of leaders, besides becoming role models in living the Eucharist.

In a world increasingly marked by materialism, individualism, and division, the message of Good Friday resonates with deep significance. The core message of Good Friday—sacrifice, redemption, and the transformative power of love—holds enduring relevance, providing a moral and spiritual compass for the contemporary world.

In the contemporary world, we often encounter a culture of "me first," where personal success, wealth, and status are prioritised. People are encouraged to pursue their own desires and ambitions, sometimes at the expense of others. Yet, the message of Good Friday challenges this mindset. Jesus' willingness to sacrifice Himself for the greater Good offers a radical alternative to the selfishness that dominates modern life. In a world filled with conflict, greed, and division, His sacrifice calls for a collective rethinking of values, encouraging individuals to look beyond themselves and consider the needs of others.

Good Friday invites us to reflect on the power of sacrifice in building a compassionate and just world. It teaches that, in giving, we receive. The sacrifice of one person, when made out of love and compassion, can create ripples of positive change, healing relationships, and restoring a sense of community. Today, this message can inspire individuals and societies to engage in acts of generosity, kindness, and service, working toward a more equitable world.

Jesus said that anyone who wanted to become his disciple should carry his Cross and follow him. Carrying the Cross means taking the risk to the extent of being killed for the sake of Jesus and his teachings or ideals. History is a witness to the fact that many who genuinely followed Jesus had to undergo persecution and even death.

In recent Indian history, Stan Sway, who dedicated his life to empowering tribals through the protection of their rights, was accused of an anti-national and was imprisoned under the draconian Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). The 84-year-old Jesuit priest and tribal rights activist suffering from Parkinson's disease died in prison custody in July 2021 after being denied basic necessities like a sipper and straw and being accused of terrorism.

Since Christians believe that Jesus died for the sins of humanity, they often forget the fact that Jesus was killed or murdered as a result of a conspiracy hatched by the Jewish religious leaders and the Roman political authorities. Caiaphas, the leader of the Sanhedrin and Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea, were equally responsible for the murder of Jesus. Jesus was killed because of his radical teachings and way of life that questioned the exploitative and oppressive and inhuman systems and practices. Religious leaders and political leaders were the beneficiaries of the repressive and exploitative system. In other words, Jesus was tortured and killed because he played his prophetic role.

Good Friday is not a day for crying for Jesus, but a day to remember all those who are persecuted all over the world for truth and justice. Jesus is being crucified every day when people who stand for the values and ideals of Jesus are persecuted and killed. It is a day to draw strength from the life of Jesus to recommit ourselves to be a prophetic voice and be ready to pay the price. It is a day to make a promise to Jesus not to betray anyone like Judas, not to be a coward like Peter, not to shy away from one's responsibility as Pilate did because of the fear of losing power, not to be part of a crowd in accusing innocent people and not to be insensitive and indifferent when injustice is done to others.

It is a day to resolve to stop spreading hatred, revenge and violence against any particular community; to protest against increasing violation of human rights; to stop gender discrimination; to protest against the arrest and incarceration of social activists and academics who advocate for human rights and the rights of the disadvantaged groups; to protest against selling public goods to crony capitalists; to protest against alarming rise of economic inequalities; to protest against wanton destruction of environment and be ready to pay the price as Jesus did on the Cross.

Good Friday highlights the transformative power of love. Jesus' death on the Cross is the ultimate expression of divine love—a love that is unconditional, sacrificial, and transformative. It is love that does not seek revenge or retribution but instead offers forgiveness and healing. As Jesus hung on the Cross, He prayed for His persecutors, saying, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34). This act of forgiveness in the face of extreme injustice challenges our contemporary understanding of justice and retribution.

In the modern world, where anger, resentment, and hatred often dominate personal relationships and global politics, the message of Good Friday calls for a radical shift in how we relate to others. Jesus' example teaches that true strength lies in loving those who hurt us and seeking reconciliation rather than revenge. His love shows that healing comes not through punishment but through forgiveness and understanding.

In a time of global conflict and division, the message of Good Friday is urgently needed. It calls for the dismantling of hatred and prejudice, urging people to embrace forgiveness and compassion. The power of love, as exemplified by Jesus' sacrifice, has the potential to heal broken relationships, mend communities, and transform societies. Good Friday is a reminder that love is not just a passive feeling but an active choice to care for others, even when it is difficult.