The 'Good' of Good Friday is realized today in unexpected deaths in Iraq and in California

Some people have questioned why the word "good" is included the name for the Friday when our Lord and Savior was tortured, humiliated and murdered on the cross for our sins.

And each year brings more proof of why "good" is the appropriate word.

For without all the sufferings our Lord endured, we would not have the chance at eternal life and being reunited with our loved ones we so dearly missed now. As I get older, I realize this truth. I cannot wait to be reunited with my mother, and her three sisters and their mother I never knew.

And I can go down the list of people I know or news I know about and how the families left behind must view today and the hope and great consolation it brings.

This month marks the fifth anniversary of the death of Capt. Brent Morel of Memphis, who died saving his conovy from ambush in Anbar province. He was the only American to die in the confrontation, proving the truth of today that there is no greater love than give up one's life for one's friends.

Mike and Molly Morel of Martin, TN, counsel other Gold Star families upon their loss. They, along with their son, are real American heroes to emulate and admire. And we added five more Gold Star families today with a truck bombing in Mosul, Iraq.

The freedoms we enjoy truly are not free.

In the news today are reminders of the fleeting nature of this life and that Good Friday is about giving the certainty of eternal life and immeasurable joy. Three people were killed by tornadoes overnight in Arkansas. A rookie California Angels' pitcher and two other young people in their early 20s were killed by a hit and run driver whose license had been suspended for DUI.

Italy prepares for more than 250 funerals from earthquakes there.

WSMV anchor Dan Miller died unexpectedly from a heart attack in his hometown of Augusta, Ga. I was at church last night and outside a group of us including Father Breen were talking of how stunned we were over the news. Miller had become that much a part of the lives of many Tennesseans.

Today is for Dan Miller, Capt. Brent Morel and so many other souls that have passed on. And the good of today is that we, too, will pass on and join these souls eternally because of the suffering of our savior and the greatest love he displayed.