Holy Week 2017: Leading The Way

Holy Week is a tradition that unites generations of devoted Christians, from Christian ancestors like Peter to the present descendant, His Holiness Pope Francis. It's a time when Christians worldwide come together to celebrate Christ's passion, death, and resurrection, who promised humanity's salvation through the Holy Cross, where he suffered and died and became a symbol of our Christian faith.

We have a unique and rich tradition of commemorating the Holy Week in the Philippines. It's all about Christ, the center of our faith. Our devotion is directed to Him as he saved us from sins. Like most Filipinos, we honor Christ in many ways. Some would show their faith in deeper self-infliction, similar to the suffering of Christ. Others would celebrate at home in a deeper self-reflection and meditation. These unique traditions, deeply rooted in our culture, are ways of showing piety and devotion to Christ, to be passed on to the next generations of faithful Christians.

Good Friday at Manila Cathedral

Good Friday symbolizes our suffering, a poignant reflection of Christ's passion on the cross. Christians carry our crosses and strive to overcome life's challenges. Our lives gain profound meaning as we remember the sufferings we shared with Christ at the center of our lives. Our savior will always be Christ, our guiding light, no matter what obstacles we face; the light of the universe and the light of all.

The negativity of the world reflects individual thoughts toward humanity. Conflicts and wars resulting in the destruction of life are significant sources of stress and devastated self. Inhumane treatment of others results from selfishness and greed. The world has never been peaceful, even at the early age of time, but the greatest gift we can offer to the world is a little peace inside our hearts and souls. 

We give out peace, and in return, we receive peace of mind. It's a powerful reminder that the holy week is about transcending the personal sufferings we have created. Our troubled minds can manifest into the sickness of our soul and physical body. But to escape from this internal turmoil, we must understand the cause and the path to peace.

On this Holy week

, we hit the negativity that haunts us, even those closest to us. We repel the dark light and replace it with pure light from the Divine. People will poke us for our misdeeds and be our guide, leading us to Jesus, our most significant source of strength at the lowest moment in time. We take the path we have chosen, and we have to understand and accept the Divine power, love, and light bestowed on us.

 © 2017 Del Cusay