The Key to Reconciliation and Atonement

    

    

        We humans are not perfect, each and every one of us are sinners and no one should deny that. Jesus took the punishment for our sins and sacrificed himself on the cross for us. Through our savior’s death, people who have a broken relationship with God is atoned. And so every year, there is a time where everyone recalls Christ’s passion, sacrifice, love, suffering, death and resurrection. 

          Lent is defined as a time for reflection and asking for forgiveness. The Lenten Season is when Catholics or Christians recalls the passion, sacrifice, love, suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Semana Santa or Holy Week is from Palm Sunday to Black Saturday, then Easter Sunday. It is when people perform holy rites, events are held in churches and traditions are also done. 

          Ash Wednesday is the first day of lent. People would usually attend church and attend mass, but also get marked on the forehead by the priest with ashes as a sign of inner repentance. But because of the COVID – 19 pandemic, I am not sure if it is allowed to have physical contact, especially when a lot of people attend church at this day as well. The church will most likely limit the people allowed inside and observe social distancing and some people would stand outside, but sometimes they do not follow the health protocols.

          Palm Sunday is when people acknowledge the entry of Jesus in Jerusalem. Churches are usually crowded with people from inside and outside. Everyone would be holding palaspas or palm fronds, to be blessed by the priest and bring home after. Unfortunately, during this COVID – 19 pandemic, the church cannot be crowded and people must observe social distancing at all times. This year 2022, officials might only allow a limited number of people in the church. Some people who cannot attend to church can just watch the online live of the event at their homes.

          Traditions are also made for most of the week, mostly after Tuesday. The neighborhood and the city or town would be often quiet. There is one tradition called pabasa, wherein people would chant the life of Jesus, which is done day and night from Maundy Thursday ‘til Good Friday. Another tradition is called Visita Iglesia, wherein people would visit 7 different churches. Sad to say, because of the said pandemic, some people wouldn’t continue on this tradition. Churches might only allow limited people, since during Visita Iglesia, a lot of people visit the churched on their list. This tradition is usually done in Maundy Thursday or Good Friday.

Good Friday is when people recall the crucifixion and death of Christ. And the religious images and statues would be covered in black veils as a sign of grief and mourning of the death of Jesus. The very next day, Black Saturday commemorates Jesus Christ laying in his tomb. Finally, Easter Sunday is when people celebrate the resurrection of Christ. Everyone would of course be very jolly that Jesus came back to life. 

Lenten Season and the Holy Week is one of the most important season of the year, just like Christmas when we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. The Holy Week is a time when we recall the passion, sacrifice, love, suffering, death and resurrection of Christ our Savior. The pandemic will not stop us from recalling Jesus’ sacrifice for us to save us from our sins. Jesus is the key that we have reconciled with God our Father and atoned our sins.

 

 

 

Resources:
“Holy Week in the Philippines”. Retrieved on February 24, 2022. https://www.tagaloglang.com/holy-week-in-the-philippines/
“Lenten Season in the Philippines”. Retrieved on February 24, 2022. https://www.aethelmark.com/blog/e/e3/
“Why did Jesus die?” Retrieved on February 24, 2022. https://tinyurl.com/4aehadrb
“How do Filipinos Commemorates Lenten Season?” Retrieved on February 24, 2022. https://tinyurl.com/5ajrtprx
“What is Holy Week?’ Retrieved on February 24, 2022. https://www.trinity.unimelb.edu.au/about/news-media/news/holy-week-explainer
“Celebrate Holy Week at Home with your Family”. Retrieved on February 24, 2022. https://www.stceciliaparish.org/celebrate-holy-week-at-home-with-your-family/
“Ash Wednesday Brings A 'Welcome Honesty' To Discussions About Mortality”. February 24, 2022. https://www.npr.org/2019/03/06/700131191/ash-wednesday-brings-a-welcome-honesty-to-discussions-about-mortality
“Hosanna!” Retrieved on February 24, 2022. https://www.share-the-joy-orillia.ca/events/hosanna
“Good Friday”. Retrieved on February 24, 2022. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_Friday
“Entombment of Christ”. Retrieved 24, 2022. https://www.oceansbridge.com/shop/artists/l/lap-law/lastman-pieter/entombment-of-christ-4
“Catholic Daily Reflections”. Retrieved on February 24, 2022. https://catholic-daily-reflections.com/2021/04/03/a-new-day-has-dawned/      

“Big Hero 6 — Scott Watanabe” Retrieved September 28, 2021 https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/838795499354797043/

https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/838795499354840847/