ROMAN Catholic church leaders have called on the Catholic faithful to spend the Holy Week reflecting on the Passion of Jesus Christ. “The Holy Week is a time for reflection and not for vacation,” said Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle and Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma in their respective masses in Manila and here last Palm Sunday.
The two prelates said Christians should not think of Lent as an opportunity to go on a vacation, saying this is a period of prayers, reflecting and opening of hearts to celebrate God’s love. Tagle, in his homily in a mass at the Manila Cathedral, reminded Filipino Catholics that Holy Week observance is not just an opportunity to take a vacation. “While we also get to rest during the Holy Week, I hope it will not remain merely as a break or vacation but rather time to deeply know Christ,” Tagle said.
Also, Palma, during his homily in a mass last Sunday at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, said “Jesus Christ’s crucifixion saved mankind from sin and the faithful should repent for their sins.” He urged wayward Christians to return to their faith to God.
But what is vacation, and what is reflection? Can we have a vacation and at the same time reflection? Why do we go on vacation? For most, the obvious answer would be to escape—leave our busy lives, leave the regular scenery and monotony and get a breath of fresh air. Either we go to the beach, mountain and in the province. And if we have enough budget, we go abroad with our loved ones. Vacation is something that everyone needs and sadly few get the traditional sense. Ang tawo nagkinahanglan ug pahuway.
For the Christians, Holy Week is the most important time of the year. In it we celebrate the “paschal mystery,” the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The word “paschal” reminds us that the New Testament word for Passover is “paschal.” Do we need to go to church or attend masses so we can reflect especially during this Holy Week?
I think we can strike a balance between doing reflection and at the same time having a vacation. God does not say, “You should do your reflection or prayers inside the Church.” You can do it anywhere and everywhere. During this Lent, do we need to attend every religious activity like the Visita Iglesia tomorrow night, listen to the Siete Palabras and go with the procession on Good Friday and other activities on Black Saturday and Easter Sunday?
Let us not be hypocritical. Many people go on vacation this Lent because it’s a long weekend. Imagine four days straight without work, and it’s the only time when the family can have their bonding. But while we are having our vacation to refresh ourselves, let us not forget that we don’t only refresh and energize our physical body, but we have to strengthen also our spiritual needs, especially our faith. That is why we have to strike a balance between vacation and reflection. So, happy vacation and reflection.