Sadly, the red date on the calendar did not make that much sense to me at all.
Although i acknowledge the fact that it is, indeed the 'season of faith'.
It a sad and biting reality that many of us are seasonal believers. Holy Week, aside from Christmas seems like a break from all things worldly. Hence, people suddenly become forgiving, prayerful, 'holy'.
Not that I'm skeptic, or aetheistic, but it saddens me that people, rather than meditate upon themselves, have to shout their 'veneration' out loud in public. Just last day, a lot of celebrities have been interviewed talking about their spiritual growth. Now, faith has to be televised as well. Funny.
Another point, I do not see the sense of imitating the passion of Christ, to the point of having to be nailed on the cross. While we could get awed by the fact that these people could endure pain, isn't it a mockery, or an insult that we imitate God's sacrifices? Isn't that way too LITERAL?
Much worse, this becomes a tourism attraction, a fad, a fiesta, a public entertainment, a gag.
Filipinos are regarded as one of the most religious people, as we have a myriad of religious practices, have the most number of fiestas in honour ofour saints, a lot of churches, humungous idols, etc.
But are we really faithful people? Or are we just TRADITIONAL?
(the author is born and raised Roman Catholic|)
