As autumn settles over Australia, we welcome the cooling temperatures and the seasonal transitions that come with it. In many places, Easter is intertwined with the shifting weather—Sydney often brings torrential rain, while in other regions, fireplaces are lit for the first time, and families gather around bonfires. This seasonal shift serves as a quiet reminder of the deeper transformation that Easter signifies—a time of renewal, reflection, and hope.
For many, Easter holds profound spiritual significance, a sacred moment in the Christian calendar that speaks of sacrifice and resurrection. But beyond religious belief, Easter also offers an opportunity for meaningful reflection—a chance to pause, acknowledge what needs to be released, and embrace the possibility of new beginnings.
A Good Friday Like No Other
A few years ago, I was invited to spend Good Friday evening with friends. Up until then, Good Friday meals had always been just another dinner party to me—perhaps an excuse to serve fish instead of meat, a nod to tradition, but without the deeper reflection that I had experienced in Good Friday church services. But that night was different.
Our hosts, Adriel and Ryan, had created an intentional gathering. Using a resource called Graves to Gardens, they guided us through a simple but powerful practice. The evening began like any other—a beautiful table set under candlelight, warm conversation, and good food. But as the meal progressed, the conversation took on a deeper purpose. Through gentle questions, we were invited to reflect on aspects of our lives that we needed to release—things we wanted to let go of, to end, to allow to die.
At the close of the meal, each of us took turns speaking our personal reflections aloud before extinguishing a candle in front of us. In that moment of darkness, we acknowledged the weight of what we were releasing. Then, our hosts—deeply rooted in their Christian faith—prayed over us, asking for blessing and renewal. The experience was both deeply symbolic and unexpectedly personal. Good Friday, a day I had always associated with Jesus’ crucifixion, suddenly resonated with my own life in a new way.
The Relevance of Good Friday Today
As I reflect on Easter this year, my thoughts extend beyond personal transformation to a world in need of renewal. Working with Leprosy Mission Australia, I see the suffering endured by people diagnosed with leprosy—individuals who, through no fault of their own, face immense hardship and social stigma. Their struggles echo the themes of Good Friday: injustice, isolation, and the longing for restoration.
The story of Jesus’ crucifixion is not just an ancient Christian narrative; it speaks to the suffering and resilience of people around the world today. If Easter is about death giving way to new life, then how do we live that truth in a world where so many still wait for healing? How do we carry the message of hope into places that feel forgotten?
Gathering with Purpose
This Good Friday, I encourage you to gather people around your table—not just for another dinner, but for an evening of meaningful reflection. If you’re a long-time supporter of The Leprosy Mission, this could be a powerful opportunity to share why you care about ending leprosy. If you’re new to this cause—perhaps drawn in by a story, an image, or even the legacy of Princess Diana—let this be a moment to pause, to listen, and to explore the ways you can make a difference.
You don’t need all the answers. You don’t have to solve the world’s pain in one evening. But allowing yourself to think deeply, to step closer to the reality of others, is a start. This Easter, let’s embrace the call to be more fully human, to hold the paradox of light and shade, and to create spaces where hope is rekindled.
Perhaps this year, your Good Friday table can be more than just a meal. Perhaps it can be a place of reflection, of conversation, and of transformation—both for yourself and for those in need of hope around the world.
