Visualizing Holy Week

It only happens every once a year and we do know as a Christian nation in Asia that Philippines do have ways to celebrate Holy Week. The month of April is really hot and we do know that during this Lenten season, offices are closed to commemorate the sacrifice of Christ to His people. But what is the real essence of Holy Week? Is it only the time to pay tribute and respect and be holy? Is it only the time to think about the things we have done and asked God for forgiveness and fast? I think not. Every day we should be thanking God for His goodness and His mercy. Every day we should live a life pleasing and holy to him.

When you ask the youths of this generation, they seem to focus more on summer vacations, having fun under the sun, sand and sea. Sure evident is when people do travel; you can find them on their favorite tourists’ spots and unwind. I don’t have any problems with that like being with the family and the bonding time they spend with each other.

But isn’t that also obvious that people were just living in traditions during Holy Week when they don’t eat meat products and pretend to be holy when they parade with their saints or pray aloud where people can see and hear babbling words, a repetition of words but useless and meaningless because it didn’t even come from the heart but from the mind that memorized it. People who try to imitate what Christ has done on the cross gives me the idea of them mocking God and claiming that doing this will cleanse them from their sins which is really a big slap for what God have done 2000 years ago. Think about it, self-flagellation to attain salvation? What is that an act of self-righteousness? bribe?

This is my own perception of what is always happening back home. I have nothing against any religions and beliefs here since this is my blog and I just wanted to express what I do feel. Visualizing Holy Week is nothing but a regular pagan practice because it comes with customs and traditions, which has nothing to transform the inner man as what is really important.

Transformation or change can only happen through the saving power of Jesus Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit. In 2 Cor. 5:17 it says “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come which means, you need to turn away from your sins and do the Will of the Father which is in heaven. Change can never happen in one night, it will be a moving progress, an improvement. People will see the change when you truly obey and follow the Word of God.