Good Friday

'Easter weekend' as the Good Friday following into Easter Sunday here is called is the next biggest celebration to Christmas.   Like Christmas this holy week too has been vastly commercialised.  I've never seen so many types of Easter eggs out on the shelves.   Most are the edible version (chocolates! Yum!) ... that come in addition to the traditional 'eggs' to all sorts of shapes, size and flavour (it's mind boggling ... I've never spent so much time gawping at Easter eggs.  In one particular supermarket one entire long aisle was dedicated simply to easter eggs!  And yes, all in Easter cheer each one of the family will be getting a Easter egg each.  Unlike BFL I got them weeks in advance and had the luxury to choose the best - or rather eggs befitting personal preferences.  BFL at my behest has decided to avoid the 'man rush' for Easter eggs and shopped for his eggs today ... only to discover the supermarket aisles just about stripped bare of Easter eggs.  (Wow. That's a first ... I never thought it would be this popular! Must make mental note - wise move to get Easter eggs early)

Moving away from the commercial side of Easter,  most tend to overlook the religious aspect of the Easter weekend.  Other than the fact that Good Friday is a bank holiday here, the true significance of why it is called 'good friday' tends to be overlooked.  Without actually having to write preachy bits in this rather secular-rish blog that accounts for my journey upwards and onwards, I am reminded without what was actually achieved on Good Friday - the ultimate sacrifice made, I would probably not have the hope of even a second chance.  Good Friday is all about that.  Being redeemed. Being offered the Hope of second chances to make good.  Even if I hadn't done the most religious thing today (that is to attend church service instead of moseying around the Ideal Home exhibition with BFL - yes! my second visit) I did take the time to take stock of the significance of today.

Interestingly enough, I've observed that in both my country of origin and my new country of residence come three in the afternoon the skies would cloud over.  Just like it did that many many years ago on top of that hill when He finally uttered 'it is finished!'.  It is as if the universe wept for one so innocent to have sacrificed himself for all mankind.    In his human form, He probably went through just about every single darkest fears and angst any ordinary Joe would suffer in face of an ordeal ... Yet, it was a choice He willingly made just so that we would be given 'second chances'.  (Had it been me I would have chicken-ed out long before Good Friday!)

Without Good Friday, the Hope of Easter - new beginnings and 'second chances' would not be possible.  It is this 'hope of...' which makes life worth living in our fairly screwed up, imperfect lives on earth.  On that point of reflection,  simply by knowing that a great sacrifice have been made one can't help but appreciate any second chances to make good even more.  Hope is, undisputedly, certain!