Personally, this is the time of the year that I am looking forward. A time when I take an opportunity to be still, pause and reflect. Each year's Holy Week is spend with family and friends which I look forward to share again a meaningful celebration of Holy Week. But as time passes by, something's changing and even traditions are soon wearing. We still keep the spirit of the Holy Week, there are traditions that are still being done and observed like the 'Pabasa' (Passion chants), 'Senakulo' (depiction of Christ's passion), Visita Iglesia and among others which has become a lenten practice. Old and young are participants of this solemn occasion which has become a yearly 'panata' or promise of sacrifice. We are fortunate indeed that our country is rich with lenten traditions and practices but no matter how we keep the beauty of lent but if not being rooted to our faith and teachings of the Church...it would be meaningless for our growth in faith.
Traditions and teachings of the Church should not be treated as separate entities but factors that bind us to appreciate and understand our faith even better. Traditions keep the beauty of practices while the teachings or doctrines guide us to the very essence of sacrifice and death of Christ. These two should work in harmony for our spirituality development and should not become an hindering factors to debate and become the source of confusion and separation.
Moreover, the true meaning of the Holy Week means a true contrition and self-rediscovery and renewing our relationship with Christ. For Our Lord Jesus Christ has given up his life making an ultimate and greatest love for mankind. A true contrition of the heart is rooted in Christ's message of forgiveness and sacrifice for others, for without it, our celebration of Holy Week is meaningless and our Easter would be forever an empty tomb.
A Blessed Holy Week to everyone and a Joyful Easter to come!
