IT’S back to our daily routine today after the long vacation because of the observance of Holy Week. I think most of us are still suffering from a vacation hangover. We have our own stories to tell about our experiences and escapades over the weekend.
Before the Lenten season, church officials reminded the faithful that Holy Week is for reflection, not vacation. Maybe that is the church’s stand, but reality dictates that, for others, Holy Week means vacation galore.
Why do people go to Boracay, Panglao in Bohol, Baguio City, Tagaytay City, Palawan and other tourist destinations during this period? Because they want to spend their vacation with their loved ones, considering it’s a long weekend. But we can strike a balance between reflection and vacation. Reflection does not mean you have to go to church and hear those boring speeches about the Seven Last Words of Jesus Christ.
Reflection does not mean you have to attend church activities like the stations of the cross, Visita Iglesia, or attend processions, observe fasting and witness the traditional “Sugat” on Easter Sunday.
I’ve observed that those who visit known religious sites, such as the Celestial Gardens in Banawa and Tabor Hills in Talamban, go there to stroll around and do some sightseeing.
I happened to pass by Barangay Gaas in Balamban last Holy Thursday and observed many people heading for various mountain resorts in that area to enjoy zip lines and cable car rides.
For cockfighting enthusiasts, Holy Week is the best time to gamble and “tigbakay” (illegal cockfighting) is rampant. I presumed casinos did not stop their operations.
Observing Lent is no longer purely a religious matter. Gone are the days when most people flocked to various churches to attend religious activities.
Like prayers, reflection is your personal communication with God. You don’t need to go to church nor attend mass to pray to God. You can pray anywhere because that is your personal communication with your God. But some people prefer to pray in church and attend mass. Some pray in their own altar at home, while others want it in a very peaceful environment.
Ask 10 people what they did during Holy Week, and I’m sure seven will answer they went out of town for a vacation.
Vacation is purely leisure. It entails sightseeing and bonding with the family and loved ones. But one can also reflect during a vacation. Ako bitaw, naka-reflect man ko bisan nagsuroy-suroy lang sa Sugbo. Nakahinulsol sa mga sala. Gamay ra man pod hinoon ning akong sala kung i-tandi anang mga corrupt government officials, kanang midaog-daog sa ilang isig ka tawo ug kanang mga kriminal.
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Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma said you can’t find all the answers in life in Google but they are found in Jesus Christ. I agree. But isn’t it unfair to compare Christ to Google? This worldwide phenomenon where you can find everything with the tip of your finger is a product of science and technology through thorough and comprehensive research.
From the start, there has always been conflict between the Bible and Science. It all started with the theory of evolution. According to the Bible, men descended from Adam and Eve. But Science tells us we evolved from monkeys and apes. So with the advent of the latest technology, we will not compare Jesus Christ to Google.
In Google, we can find everything we want to know and research but not love, peace and happiness. We can only find these through our faith whatever our religion. So let us pray to God, not to Google, so we can find answers in life.
(bobby@sunstar.com.ph)