Today is Good Friday.
When I reminisce about the thirty-odd Good Fridays that have passed through my life so far, it is invariably colored by a somber mood, with marathon TV viewing of such Holy Week classics such as the Ten Commandments and Jesus of Nazareth. We were not supposed to eat meat. We were discouraged from engaging in boisterous horseplay. There were numerous TV specials showing flagellants and re-enactments of the Stations of the Cross, not to mention the actual crucifixions in certain provinces in the Philippines that were undertaken by some of the faithful who have vowed to keep on doing such as their life-long "panata."
It was supposed to be a quiet day, to make it conducive to reflection of Christ's life and internal dialogue.
Nowadays, although the focus should still very well be at introspection and renewing one's faith, the seriousness of the occasion, the gray color that seem to permeate the Holy Week (at least in the days leading to Easter Sunday) appear to have considerably lessened. There is less pressure to force a serious mien all the time. Changing times, perhaps?
Not that that's a bad thing. If anything, it makes things more "palatable" to the younger generation, whose attention will rarely be held by four-hour movies that do not feature 3-D animated characters or dancing princesses.
One thing that does not change (in my mind, at least) is the weather during this time. It seems as if Good Friday goes hand in hand with a sun-bleached day, with a stillness that is broken only by listless breezes that barely ruffle the green-and-brown leaves on the trees. But how people chose to spend this bright, balmy day has changed markedly over the years.
Whereas in years gone by this was marked by people praying the rosary and watching Moses part the Red Sea for the umpteenth time, nowadays a considerable chunk of the population flock in droves to the beaches, resorts, and go on road trips to vacation destinations. Holy Week has become synonymous to travel.
Hubby's birthday happened to fall on Good Friday this year. We did have a moderate celebration of sorts, albeit without cake or singing, nor balloons or party hats -- not that he would have preferred the last two though. It did not seem disrespectful to have this small celebration -- Christ indeed died on the Cross for us all, that we may have eternal life. And we did give thanks for another year, for the continued gift of life. I'd like to believe that these are not mutually exclusive.
The changes in the times are quite evident. Whether this ultimately becomes a good thing or a bad thing remains to be seen.
Faith of course is still the key. I am thankful for the blessing that is my Family, for the health that we continue to enjoy, for the gift of Life that we have been presented with.
May we all use these gifts wisely and for the Glory of God.
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