He is risen indeed!

Good Friday is a big holiday in the predominantly Catholic Philippines. On all other holidays including Christmas, Easter, and national holidays, the malls, restaurants, and other businesses are open. Not on Good Friday.

Many television and radio stations are off the air from late Maundy Thursday until Easter. If they do continue airing they also broadcast special shows themed for the Holy Week like: the reading of the Seven Last Words, the recitation of the Stations of the Cross, and the service of the Commemoration of the Lord's Passion. Newspapers often have no issues during those days.

After three o'clock in the afternoon of Good Friday (the time at which Jesus is traditionally believed to have died), noise is discouraged, and the faithful are urged to keep a very solemn and prayerful disposition through to Easter Sunday.

Though it's refreshing to see a nation acknowledge the Pivotal Event of History, we can't help but look ahead from the dark hopelessness of the cross and the grave to the joy of the empty tomb, the remembrance of our living Lord!

"...as the women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground,
the men said to them,
"Why do you seek the living One among the dead?
He is not here, but He has risen."
Luke 24:5&6

Happy Easter!


*since they are missing our traditional Easter breakfast at Point Pleasant this year, our children specifically requested to have those famous chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast on Easter morning.
Not sure I can compete with Mr. Joe and Terry's precedent of fabulous Easter pancakes, but we'll be thinking of you all as we enjoy a taste of home...