Marami na ang Hindi Nakauunawa
Sa Tunay na Diwa ng Semana Santa
(Copyright 2018)
Marami akong tinanong na mga Filipinong Kristiyano. Sila ay matagal ko ng kakilala, mga kamag-anak, kaibigan at kapitbahay. Ang iba naman ay kasama sa trabaho at mga mag-aaral, ang ilan ay sadyang hindi ko kilala. Nagbigay ako ng mga simpleng tanong na hindi nila masagot, kung bakit at para saan ang pagdidiriwang ng Semana Santa at kung kanino patungkol ito. Maraming Filipino ang hindi lubos na nakauunawa sa bawat detalye ng Kwaresma. Marami ang nagsisimba, nagpapalagay ng abo sa noo ngunit kapag tinanong kung para saan ang ganitong nakaugalian, hindi nila maipaliwanag nang tumpak. Marami ang nagdadala ng palaspas sa simbahan ngunit hindi nila alam kung para saan ang palaspas, hindi rin nila alam na hindi lamang palaspas ang naging bahagi ng Palm Sunday. Marami ang naghihintay sa pagdating ng mahabang bakasyon, ngunit karamihan sa atin ay hindi magawang isa-isahin ang Seven Last Words. Nakapagtataka, dahil kung tunay na ang Holy Week ay para sa komemorasyon ni HesuKristo, hindi ba dapat lamang na alam natin ang mga ito, bilang isang bansang tinaguriang - The Only Christian Nation in Asia.
Many Lenten Seasons have passed, in my case it has been 43 years.
How many Filipinos came to know the Biblical essence of Jesus Christ's Resurrection? Reflecting on the theological teachings of the SEVEN (7) Last Words;
(1) Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do. (Luke 23:34)
(2) Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise. (Luke 23:43)
(3) Woman, behold your son. Son, behold your mother. (John 19:26-27)
(4) My God, My God, why have you forsaken me? (Matthew 27:46 & Mark 15:34)
(5) I thirst. (John 19:28)
(6) It is finished. (John 19:30)
(7) Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit. (Luke 23:46)
Even at the height of His pain and suffering, God's unconditional love for us (sinners) is brighter than the sun.
40 days of Lent, a solemn observance in the church calendar that begins on Ash Wednesday (February 14, 2018) and ends approximately six weeks later, before Easter Sunday (April 1, 2018). It is a season of reflection and preparations before the celebration of Easter Sunday. Christians remember Jesus Christ's sacrifice and withdrawal in the desert for 40 days.
Why 40 days?
(a) 40 is a significant number in Torah (the First Five Books)
(b) In Genesis, the flood which destroyed the earth was brought about by 40 days and nights of rain.
(c) The Hebrews spent 40 years in the wilderness before reaching the land promised to them by God.
(d) Moses fasted 40 days before receiving the 10 commandments on Mount Sinai.
(e) Jesus spent 40 days fasting in the wilderness in preparation for his ministry. Most Christians regard Jesus' time in the wilderness as the key event for the duration of Lent. These are the 40 days, when Jesus was tempted by Satan.
The entry of Jesus and His disciples into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week. Holy Week anticipates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ showing Him as master over death. This year in the Philippines, Holy Week will begin on March 25, Sunday and ends on March 31, Saturday (2018). It is a week of fasting (supposed to be), "pasyon", "no alcohol", abstinence, silence and penitence.
As the Lenten Season progresses, great solemnity spread across Metro Manila (a great number of people leaves Metro Manila) because most people travel to areas where seawater, waves, swimming pools and waterfalls are abound.
Nakakalungkot isipin na ang panahon ng "Mahal na Araw" ay nagiging panahon na lamang ng bakasyon at pamamasyal para sa mga Filipino.
Nakalimutan na natin and tunay na diwa ng sakripisyo ni HesusKristo sa krus para tayo magkamit ng kaligtasan. KALIGTASAN, na tanging SIYA LAMANG at wala ng iba pang santo at santa ang maaaring magkaloob.
