Holy Week
It has been more than a decade (17 years to be exact) that I have attended the Holy Week services in my hometown, Passi. But I can still recall and appreciate those childhood memories wherein everyone tries to come home and be with their families during this time of the year. Life is a lot simpler then but I didn't find it boring at all. Holy Week begins today, Palm Sunday. Radio stations, TV Networks (we only had Channels 4, 8, 10 and 12 then) and everywhere you go remind you that it's Holy Week. Bombo Radyo had Holy Week specials. You don't hear the usual "Sin-o ang May Sala" radyo drama. Instead, they're replaced by the Seven Last Words and other inspirational dramas. I also remembered crying over the characters portrayed by Tito, Vic and Joey and their entire Eat Bulaga troop. They don't do game shows on those days. Instead, they play serious characters and teach lessons of forgiveness, love, etc.
But the highlight is the
Easter Triduum - Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter. Having studied and
learned more about our Christian faith, I am amazed at how great a
teacher our mother the Holy Catholic Church is. The Bible characters come to
life during those days and the entire town participates. The 12 Apostles
come from the different parts of the town. They also went by pairs to the
houses, in their costume and sash to identify which Apostle they play. Oh, and
they carried a coin purse too. When they come to your house, just like in the
Gospels, after locating where the Sacred Heart image is, they start praying for
peace and blessing for the entire family. We were welcoming, I think, so we
didn't witness any of them brushing dust off their feet and getting back their
prayers for peace. The 14 stations of the Cross is spread all over town that during
the procession, you will have walked around the entire town to complete the 14
stations. The walk was quite tiring that I remembered cheating when I was a
little younger. Our house is located towards the end, so instead of completing,
we stayed at the street corner and just watched people and images pass. When I
became a teenager, I was distracted with people watching. During the
procession, you will see who is courting who or who is officially together. I
also remembered watching out for my crushes and wondered when I will ever
be noticed. But the procession and the Way of the Cross, I now
realized, is a great catechism. Through the images, we get to know more the
characters in the Gospels. Below are my considerations on these images:
My Lola Esther's
family is in charge of Mary Magdalene. Her image had nice curls and long lashes
and rich clothes and she always carried a bottle of perfume. As a child, it was
explained to me that she's quite vain that's why she's represented that way.
But as you check out her character in the Gospels, you will realize that she's
that lady whom Jesus expelled 7 devils. She lived a sinful life but after being
forgiven, she learned how to love greatly and be most generous. She was that
lady who didn't skimp on an expensive perfume (a whole year's laborer's wage
worth) by breaking the bottle so all gets poured to anoint Our Lord's head
before his Passion.
One image I didn't
quite like was Martha's. She wore a very simple dress and carried a walis
tingting. Why did she earn a place in the procession? Well, this lady taught us
the value of domestic work. If Mary taught contemplative life, Martha teaches
us the importance of taking care of the work of the home. It is such an
important but unrecognized job. Without a lady taking care of a home, it will
just be a house. But the home is where life and values are first learned. The
love and care of a mother and wife will produce happy and contented and
inspired husband and children.
St. John. This young man became an Apostle when he was a
teenager. He was the only unmarried among the Apostles. His life teaches us
that chastity and total self-giving is possible and noble. Who was that apostle who kept reminding the early Christians to love one another even at old age? It was John. Why was he able
to speak about Love? Because his total self-giving taught him Love.
St. Peter with a
cock. "Before the cock crows twice, you have disowned me three times"
Jesus told Peter. Peter had a lot of faults but he said sorry and
rectified. This impulsive guy truly loved Our Lord. That is why despite
his weaknesses, he was made the "Rock" where Christ built his Church.
He became the first head of the Church and he died a martyr trying to spread
the Christian faith. He felt not worthy to die the way Jesus did so he asked
that he be crucified upside down.
Jesus' agony in
the garden with an angel holding a chalice. "Father, if you will, remove
this cup...But not my will but yours be done". Suffering is never
inviting. Even Jesus, in his human body, did not want it. But that suffering
was our Redemption. So, in the end, Jesus followed The Father's will. We too
should embrace our little and big crosses. The hurt are like the chips under
the jeweller's hand. Without being cut, we won't shine as the
diamonds that we are meant to become.
There are a lot
more images to consider and events in the Easter Triduum to comment on but it
is time to end so I'll end... You may add your thoughts on the Last Supper, the
Visits to the Monumentos, the kissing of the cross, the Easter vigil with the
blessing of the seed of the farmers, the 7 Dolorosas, the meeting of Jesus and
Mary at Easter morning...
