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Lent, also known as kwaresma in Filipino, is the season
during which Filipinos remember Christ's passion, suffering, death, and
resurrection. It is a meaningful season to any Filipino. Aside from it’s the
season where people have their break and spend time with their respective
families, this is also the time that Filipinos repent their sins. Filipinos are
known to be prayerful and this shows on their way of celebrating the lent. They
celebrate it with full of passion and even though that the Church don’t agree
with some practices like the reenactment of the flagellant to Jesus Christ
sufferings and his crucifixion, the church could not do anything about it
because it is part of Filipino’s culture.
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During the Lenten season, Filipino Catholics engage in
various traditional practices. The first day of Lent is Ash Wednesday. Ashes
are traditionally placed on the forehead of Catholics as a sign of interior
repentance. Fasting and abstinence are fundamental Catholic practices; some
Catholics eat only one meal per day, while others abstain from eating meat on
Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all lent Fridays. Senakulo is a traditional
play depicting Jesus Christ's suffering and death, which is performed in
provinces such as Marinduque. The practice of visiting seven churches and
reciting the Stations of the Cross is known as Visita Iglesia. On Maundy
Thursday or Good Friday, it is customarily performed.
In practicing
fasting and abstinence, we sacrifice much which helps us grow in freedom to
make much bigger sacrifices. Part of this could be giving up some material or
worldly resources and treasures for the benefit of the people who are most
affected by this pandemic. We give up something or deprive ourselves of
something so that others can have it. We become selfless and mindful of others,
we extend charity and generosity to others even though we also are affected and
still struggling and coping with the economic and financial problems brought by
this pandemic. It’s a sacrifice for
others and God. It is an act of love for others and God.
Every event in the Philippines is made more enjoyable and
imaginative by the country's rich culture and tradition. Fasting and abstinence
is an act of penance to create spiritual hunger and the avoidance of sin. As an
act of repentance and contrition at this time of the pandemic, we implore the
presence of the Lord through prayer. It is our personal conversation with Him,
a powerful tool to create miracles, to make things right and better in our
lives. It leads us to a life of holiness towards God. We must never forget that
Lent is more than a religious tradition; it is a time to recall and reflect on
Jesus Christ's suffering, death, and resurrection for us.
Lent is a
season that reminds us of Jesus Christ’s passion, death, and resurrection. It
is an opportunity to repent our misdeeds and misgivings, and to increase the
intensity of our prayer, fasting, almsgiving, the practice of our faith, and
welcoming others as our brothers and sisters in our faith community. It is
God’s way of reminding us how He himself sacrificed His only begotten son to
redeem mankind’s sins. It’s God’s and Jesus’ way of knocking in our hearts to
give back for others selflessly and unconditionally.
references:
God Bless you! It is a good doing to attend the mass and make time for the Lord.
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