EDITORIAL - The importance of Christ’s sacrifices

There is now a mad rush to the provinces for many to cash in on the long Lenten holiday. As early as Sunday, bus terminals, seaport and the airport are filled with passengers going to their hometowns to spend the Holy Week.

This has become a tradition in this nation where majority are Christians. For hundreds of years, Filipinos have come to know Lenten as one of the most important religious seasons of the year, aside from Christmas.

Since workers are normally allowed to spend observing the Holy Week in their provinces, it has become a practice for businesses in the metro to shut down or cut their operation due to lack of personnel.       

However, there are those who troop to tourist destinations to take advantage of the long holiday. In Cebu, the beaches in the northern towns, particularly in the islands of Bantayan and Camotes, are normally busy catering to the invading local and foreign guests.

But it is sad to note that while they refrain from tending to their works and businesses during the Holy Week, many would just want to escape the busy and stressful life in the metro to rest and relax in beach resorts and other recreational areas.

We should always keep in mind that the Holy Week is the time for the observance of Christ's sacrifices for mankind. Its true purpose is for the faithful to repent and remember that He died on the cross in order for us to be saved.

Good thing that for the past years, the Cebu provincial government has barred bikini shows and similar activities during this time of summer. In the past, those kinds of activities had been tainting the sacredness of the Lenten observance.

Now, as we are busy preparing for the long holiday, we should take the importance of the death of Christ as the center of our observance. And as we set aside those worldly things, may we learn to abide by His rules.