good friday

I am wondering if the Crucifixation took place on a Friday. When I was young (and restless), our mom told us so. But if Christ really died on a Friday, I think it is more appropriate to call it Mourning Friday instead. The disciples did just that — they mourned. They though all was lost. But of course that’s just me, I don’t want to start a religious debate so let’s leave it at that.

Good Fridays at my parents house are spent watching lent movies on TV, saying our prayers and fasting — or minimal eating as fasting can’t be coerced to all six children! We’d be more silent and in pious mood if we have something in our tummies. Years later and alone in Japan, I would do normal things on Good Fridays that would shock my mother. How can’t I? The calendar in Japan don’t even have that red mark on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. I have normal classes on these days, eat my meat (gasp! Catholics should avoid these so they say) and laugh when I want to. There were even times I forgot all about the Holy Week until a phone call home. I guess I should be the one crucified.

So, here in dooby-doo-be-Dubai where most of the population is the otherwise (non-Catholics I mean), the calendar almost looks like the one in Japan. The consolation I have is that Friday is considered sacred among the people here so Fridays are my day off. Somehow, my family managed to keep silent and still on Friday afternoon to observe lent. But of course with a toddler at home, the quiet moment would just last for a few minutes and then the high-pitched tone of voice is back again, echoing from wall to wall of every room.

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