Why “Good” Friday if Jesus Suffered and Died?

That’s a good question. Because we immediately see the suffering and death Jesus endured for us on that day, which understandably brings us—or should bring us—great sorrow.

And yet, because Jesus died for our sins on that day (1 Tim. 4:5-6), we see that it is indeed a “good” day; and, in some ways, “good” seems to fall a little short, as the Catechism of the Catholic Church indicates:

Death is transformed by Christ. Jesus, the Son of God, also himself suffered the death that is part of the human condition. Yet, despite his anguish as he faced death, he accepted it in an act of complete and free submission to his Father’s will. The obedience of Jesus has transformed the curse of death into a blessing (CCC 1009; see also 612-14).

For more on the etymological origins of “Good Friday,” please see this article and this article.