This Holy Week: TO THE CHURCH OR TO THE BEACH?

Currently, social media are ablaze with pictures of individuals either with their families or friends enjoying the beach, the mountains, or some other away-from-home destinations courtesy of the Lenten break.

Indeed, the season of lent is a very much anticipated time of the year, as the 4-day break that it guarantees can be used for relaxation and unwinding.

But what should we must do during this time of the year?

Lent is a 40-day commemoration of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, which begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Palm Sunday. Now reading in between the lines will tell us what should be the mood and atmosphere at this time of the year - it should be a period of mourning, silence and reflection (fasting too if I may add). And all these can be best observed in our homes and churches.

Ideally then, Lent or Holy Week must be a time of bereavement, and not a time of merriment (unless one is non-Christian).

However, times have changed and most people have resorted to unconventional or non-traditional ways of commemorating Lent. Let me clarify though, that this article is not meant to criticize those who have chosen such ways.

So where do we go from here now, to the Church or to the beach?

We all have our free will and so it is up to us.

Go ahead! Go to the church or beach, or hie to somewhere else that you would love to visit. After all, it is neither the place nor the activity that will measure your belief and faith in Jesus Christ.

For me, having Jesus in your heart is far greater than any place that you will go to, and far greater than any activity or ritual that you will engage in this Holy Week.

Let God be the judge, and not us. 

Amen?