Christians of Lahore and across Pakistan observed Good Friday with spiritual fervour as a large number of Christians gathered in churches across the city to mark the day with solemnity.
Good Friday is the day when Jesus Christ was crucified and Easter Sunday is when he was resurrected, according to the Christian faith.
Pastor Asher Saleem of the Shekinah Ministries Church in Hamza Town described the Lent season as that of sacrifice, meditation, reconciliation, spiritualism, reflecting on one’s weaknesses and resurrecting oneself into a better human being.
“As Christ fasted for 40 days and Moses led his people in Israel for 40 years, this 40-day Lent period is auspicious for all Christians. This period of sacrifice and peace enables us to come closer to God and like Christ’s resurrection, we too resurrect into a better person,” he said. “Even if customs and traditions aren’t observed in each and every home or among all new-generation kids, the basic essence of Good Friday and Easter remains the same for all Christians,” he added.
“Earlier, Easter used to be as important as Christmas, but now the latter has turned out to be more glamourised, commercial and universal, a time of joy-filled celebrations, while the mood for Good Friday is sombre. The observance of Good Friday is largely restricted within the Christian community,” said Sarah Joseph, a worshipper at the St Andrews Presbyterian Church.
“The traditional Easter eggs and Easter bunnies were once made at home. Nowadays, these are available in most bakeries and hotels. Not all Christians of the present generation, especially those with a hectic work schedule, observe the 40-day period of Lent. During this period, beginning on Ash Wednesday and continuing till the last Saturday,” she said.
Another worshipper David Akhtar said he had prayed for Pakistan because “everyone is concerned about the situation in our country”. “Good Friday is the day when Jesus Christ gave his life for redemption of our sins. As we remember his sacrifice, one must ponder over how we as a nation have sinned, resulting in a plethora of crises. It’s time the Pakistani nation seek collective forgiveness for our sins and seek the Lord’s mercy for our country,” he said.