Today I rediscovered a mango tree in our backyard, with small mangoes waiting to ripen. With it a few other produce-bearing plants. I was especially ecstatic seeing the small mangoes starting to ripen as they are my favorite. You see, I’ve always known these plants were there but I probably just got used to them, mindlessly partaking of their fruit. That is, until today.

Now I look at them with fresh eyes, seeing the kind of joy they bring, and the gratitude it evokes. I’m especially grateful in this time of extended quarantine, that we have fresh produce. Because of this, my trips to the grocery are lessened. Times like these help us see things with a fresh perspective.

A lot of things may be like this tree for many of us. Just like Holy Week. We grew up used to this holiday, mindlessly going about our routines, not always realizing why we even call this day Good Friday. I grew up seeing men and women punishing themselves, walking the streets bloodied and wounded. Why is that? In the hope of gaining forgiveness and a fresh start.

Today, I think about all these practices I witnessed growing up, and sadly, the futility of a lot of them. The only practice and tradition that I am appreciating now is the practice of solitude. Because of this, I now find myself truly discovering why this Friday has always been good. Because, I need not punish myself anymore, for Someone took it upon Himself already.

My hope and prayer is that as we enjoy today’s peace and quiet, and the solitude it brings, we will come to remember why we ought to be grateful for this day and celebrate the coming Easter. Why gratitude and joy can always fill our hearts.

For we received the best gift we ever could receive in this lifetime. We received forgiveness and the hope it brings.