To Atone and To Reconcile



            It is clear that no human being is perfect for all have sinned and are sinners. This Lenten Season, also known as “Mahal na Araw” or “Semana Santa” in our country, the Philippines. It is to be said that this is a 40-day season of wherein Filipinos recollect our Lord Jesus Christ’s passion, love, suffering, death and His resurrection. To be specific, it starts from Palm Sunday, followed by Holy Monday, Holy Tuesday, Holy Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday – therefore, leading onto Black Saturday and Easter Sunday after.

            Until this day, the tradition has never died. These old practices of us Filipinos are what defines us. The said event has been passed down from one generation to the next and so on. We may be in the modern world now, but for us to keep on valuing the tradition and culture of the Lenten Season is not only a must but a responsible to up keep.


            I am not quite the religious person myself, but when it comes to the Lenten Season, I ought to participate in such a celebration. I could remember my past experiences during Ash Wednesday Palm Sunday, it was an experience where I could be at ease. It was like a flow of positivity ran through my veins. To be honest, I could actually feel His presence. I knew that He was around even if I couldn’t see Him physically. I may not be the religious type, but I still do follow culture and tradition. It’s not only because of that, for I know that I owe a lot to Him.

            As we all know, Ash Wednesday is the first day of the Lenten Season. People would gather, go to church and attend the mass. With that said, this is basically the time when the priest marks one’s forehead with a cross using ash – this is an act or a sign of inner repentance. I myself have experienced this and it was indeed pleasant. Although, due to the pandemic, I don’t have much of an idea of how this will go. Though I have the slight feeling that a lot of people will attend the said event. I mean, coronavirus cases are depleting, so I guess that’s a plus. With that being said, we should not forget to observe social distancing at all times. Therefore, we must follow the health protocols for the safety of all.

            Next, Palm Sunday, a celebration where I can say that I’ve been to the most. This is when people acknowledge the entry of Jesus in Jerusalem. My experience with this was something I never thought would change my life, since I didn’t grow up here. Churches were filled to the brim. Inside and outside of the church, it was indeed crowded. Everyone had their palaspas on hand, holding it up for it to be blessed by the priest and bring it home after.

            Then for the rest of the week is when the people, specifically the whole community, remain quiet for most of the time, wherein this tradition is called pabasa. This is basically where people would chant for the life of our Savior Jesus Christ, which is actually done day and night from Maundy Thursday until Good Friday. Then here comes the next tradition as the Visita Iglesia, wherein people would go out and visit seven different churches by choice. This tradition is usually done in Maundy Thursday or Good Friday. As of for Good Friday, it is an event wherein recollect the crucifixion and the death of Jesus Christ. Religious statues and images would traditionally be covered in veils of black as a sign of grief and to mourn for the death of Jesus Christ. After that is the said Black Saturday, wherein it commemorates Jesus Christ in his tomb. Finally and most definitely not the least part is Easter Sunday, a celebration wherein the people honor the resurrection of Jesus Christ. And its obvious that everyone will have their fun at this day.


            To sum it up, Lenten Season and the Holy Week are one of the most important seasons in every single year for us to celebrate. It is a celebration of passion, sacrifice, love, suffering, death and resurrection of Christ our Savior. With or without the pandemic, nothing will ever stop us from recalling Jesus’ sacrifice. For He has saved us from our sins. He is the reason that we’ve reconciled with God our Father and atoned our sins.


References/Resources: https://tinyurl.com/y4ecme2f

                                     https://tinyurl.com/yf5tz5vu

                                     https://tinyurl.com/527fm3un

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