The most solemn part of the Christian liturgical year is the three-day period from the sundown of Holy Thursday to the sundown of Easter Sunday. Called as the Easter Triduum, the period is considered as one great festival recounting the last three days of Jesus’ life on earth, the events of His Passion and Resurrection, when the Lamb of God laid down his life in atonement for our sins.
The Easter Triduum is a time for reflection, penance, and spiritual renewal in preparation for the celebration of Easter Sunday. The significance of this period is emphasized by the religious events that take place, such as the Mass of the Last Supper on Holy Thursday, the Passion of Christ on Good Friday, and the Easter vigil on Saturday. This, however, has evolved and an the intersection of religious and economic aspects during this period of time has become noticeable.
From an economic perspective, Holy Week is an important time for industries such as tourism, hospitality, and retail. Many people take advantage of the long weekend and travel to various destinations, resulting in increased demand for transportation, accommodations, and other related services. For some, Easter is also associated with gift-giving and shopping for new clothes, which can increase sales for retailers.
I remember that before, the businesses close during Good Fridays and Black Saturdays. Yesterday, however, was different as around half of business establishments remain opened recouping the losses made during the lockdowns under the COVID-19 pandemic. Shall we blame these businessowners for opening?
Faith is a personal thing. While the Easter Triduum calls for solemnity, it also means a celebration for a spiritual renewal made possible by the sacrifices of Jesus the Christ. But of course, the celebration should be tempered in such a way that there is a delicate balance between the commercialization of religious holidays and the preservation of their spiritual significance.
Polevu 