"The solemn observance of the 'Good Friday' and 'Black Saturday' is a message that Christ has died to save the sins of humanity. This is the centering thought of the Holy Week and this is a call to follow Christ to lead and be the guiding light in our lives forever."
The last week of the Lenten season is the highlight in commemorating the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. During the past 40 days, we have observed liturgical events that are significant in understanding the life story of Christ on His suffering, crucifixion, and ascension to heaven. We started Lent on ash Wednesday with the message of Embracing Christ in Our Lives. On this day we begin our journey by following the path of Jesus and emulating the virtues that He has taught.
Every year, the observance of Lent gives us a unique perspective about life as we reflect on ourselves. It allows us to acknowledge our misconduct and to have the act of repentance. This leads us to achieve peace of mind and opens our hearts to give more time for self-ministry to fulfill our 'life purpose.'
On this year's Holy Week, I have been observing it in a non-dominant Christian world. It may be a different experience, yet my devotion and faith are strengthened in a solitary moment of contemplation. This is the right time to know yourself and be in Christ's loving presence.
My observance of Holy Week 2012 is meaningful and memorable as I have seen fellow Christians of different nationalities express their faith in Christ. Though we may have different cultures, we are still united in faith before Christ. It was a great Lenten experience since I visited some of the Churches that are famous among Christian devotees.
In the Philippines, where Christianity dominates, the faithful would have a special observance of the Holy Week, especially during Good Friday. Some would perform the religious tradition called 'Senakulo,' which reenacts the passion and death of Jesus. Some men would even allow themselves to be crucified to experience the suffering of Jesus and with the belief that their sins would be forgiven. Other traditions include 'Visita Iglesia' or visiting different churches and pilgrimage sites and offering a prayer. The old way of reciting a prayer with a melody called 'Pasyon' is still practiced by devotees.
On Good Friday, the 'Seven Last Words' are celebrated in a holy mass. It offers a deeper understanding of the passion of Christ and his last words until his death on the cross. The solemn observance of 'Good Friday' and 'Black Saturday' is a message that Christ has died to save the sins of humanity. This is the centering thought of the Holy Week, and this is a call to follow Christ to lead and be the guiding light in our lives forever.
© 2013 Del Cusay
