The Light in the Dark

Holy Week means more than a time to skip school or to hunt for painted eggs. It is something bigger than festivities—it even holds more value over Christmas!

Saying that Holy Week is more important than Christmas raises a lot of eyebrows, but Holy Week commemorates what saves us: the Gospel. The good news that Jesus died on the cross for our sins instead of us, but was resurrected on the third day, proving that He is Lord—in accordance with the scriptures

As Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:14-20, “And if Christ has not been raised, then our ­preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.”

Holy Week is commemorating what saves us and is the summit of the gospel. Without Christ’s death and ­resurrection, we would not be saved and there would be no gospel.

Holy Week reminds us of God’s overwhelming love for us. It matters and also stresses that we matter. We matter so much to God that He sent His only begotten son to die for our sins, so that we may not perish, but have eternal life.

Staying at home and being socially distanced does not prevent us from commemorating Holy Week. Why should the pandemic stop us from commemorating Christ’s death and resurrection? There’s no good reason to dismiss the season.

Celebrating Holy Week doesn’t necessarily mean throwing a party. We can simply commemorate Holy Week by spending time with God—praying, reading the Bible, listening to Christian praise and worship songs, and attending special Church services. We can also video call our relatives and discuss the Bible with them.

There has been a lot of buzz recently about canceling 2021 and everything that comes with it because of the pandemic. We should not cancel 2021, and we definitely should not cancel Holy Week. Holy Week should all the more be celebrated—especially during the pandemic.

As dark as the times are now, light is needed. A shred of hope that everything will soon return to normal is needed. Amidst all this pain and suffering, God is needed.

A lot has been lost during the pandemic, whether it be relationships, health, wealth, or a loved one. The pandemic reminded us how in a blink of an eye, everything we cherish may evaporate into thin air.

Nothing is permanent in this world, but we have a God who permanently loves us. And it is only right that we commemorate what He has done for us.

Story by Tara Sabrina Mohammad