Celebrating Lent in our time

IS THE essence of Holy Week still relevant in our times? The Lenten Season has always been a time for spiritual reflection and a time for asking redemption but its celebration has remained a four day calendar off for most of us.

Instead of the usual narrating the life of Jesus Christ, focused on his Passion, Death, and Resurrection, most would often flock to their favourite summer vacation destination.

Baguio City had its fair share as tourists flocked to the Summer Capital not to reflect on their lives but to enjoy the four day lull and at the same time enjoy the cool weather which is far cry lower than any other favourite summer destinations in the country.

While Baguio City has the Lady of Atonement Cathedral and the Stations of the Cross in Mt. Sto. Tomas and Dominican Hill as the main attractions for religious pilgrims, most often, these has become a usual venue for family get together and most often, social media posts.

As social media continue to slowly sneak into our daily lives, it is necessary to remind us that Holy Week is a time to repent, to change our ways of thinking and acting so that we can believe in, and be transformed by, the teachings of God not the teachings of man.

It is an invitation to better our spiritual connection with our religious beliefs, and a solicitation of self-sacrifice rather than a time for conceit and pleasure.

Holy Week remains a challenge nowadays. It should lead people to go away from their own comforts as what the bible explained the sacrifices of Jesus when he was crucified and eventually resurrected.

Lent should remind us to help restore the good traditions of being a Catholic. Spirituality is something personal but it can be shared in many different ways more than the technology that people have.

After all lent is simply observed to keep people spiritually fit.