The apex of Lenten days

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor GUILLERMO TEJIDA III Desk Editor NANETTE L. GUADALQUIVER Busines Editor ERIC T. LORETIZO Sports Editor (On Leave) RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

The annual observance of rites commemorating the passion and death of Our Lord, Jesus Christ starts peaking today, Holy Wednesday, with Catholic and other Christian churches going through time-honored activities approximating the last three days of Christ's life on earth.

Today, aside from Holy Masses and the Via Crucis, or the Way of the Cross, there will be moments spent in Lenten reflections. For many these reflections continue even in their homes where a much subdued atmosphere prevails as the faithful meditate on the sufferings the Son of God went through in order to redeem mankind.

Tomorrow, Holy Thursday, or Maundy Thursday, priests will celebrate the Chrism Mass and hold the renewal of their vows, before the Mass of the Last Supper, commemorating the final meal Jesus had with His apostles. Catholics end this day with the traditional "Visita Iglesia" or visits to several churches as a way of emulating the trek that He went through on His way to Calvary.

The next day, Good Friday, ceremonies based on the last hours of the Savior, will center on the Seven Last Words He spoke as he was hanging from the Cross. Selected speakers are asked to interpret the words of Jesus in relation to the present condition of the mortals and sinners He made the sacrifice for. The day's activities will culminate in a religious procession depicting incidents and people close to Jesus before his crucifixion and death.

This is the saddest day, the day of realization of what great sinners we are and how undeserving of such a sacrifice. This sorrow moves on to Black Saturday, as believers grieve for His death and for their sins that have caused it.

And then, like the sun breaking out past the darkest clouds, we come to Easter Sunday, and commemorate His rising from the dead and triumph over sin and earthly concerns.

And for all of us, this, too, is the day we rejoice and give our most grateful thanks because here, we have a glimpse of forgiveness and redemption from our sins.*