Lenten reflections

Too often, as the Christian community enters the Lenten season, many get bogged down with the traditional rituals. The observance of Lent starts with Ash Wednesday by going to Church and queuing for the ash that is crossed on the faithful’s forehead.

There are the Fridays of Lent, known more for their fasting challenge, i.e., abstaining from meat eating or refraining from indulging in something one personally craves. Some start novenas nine days before Good Friday; others start seven days before.

On the homestretch going into the last week, we start with Palm Sunday. There is the buying of palm fronds and the blessing of a community waving the palaspas. Offices normally are closed on Holy Thursday to allow the religious to visit 14 churches representing each of the 14 stations recalling Christ’s crucifixion.

And of course, on Good Friday even before the cock crows, the pabasa starts. The life of Christ is chanted in chorus by groups of devotees: the climax of this reading will be the death of Jesus on the cross. The street procession follows.

Also on Good Friday, Catholics are supposed to listen in Church to reflections of the seven last words of Jesus before he dies on the cross. There are also some canned airings on television or radio on the Siete Palabras to replace broadcasting of regular programs that are suspended on this day.

And of course, Christians look forward to the Sunday of the risen Christ, with more traditional rituals as the pre-dawn salubong, followed by the celebrations in the Catholic world as churches joyfully toll their bells.

Other rituals

There are other colorful rituals that are not necessarily sanctioned by the Church but are continued by believers. One such is the self-flagellation and crucifixion of individuals, a more physical replication of Christ’s journey to the mound of Golgotha.

There are also beliefs that involve refraining from leisure travel or wearing bright colors or even bathing. Much of these are still observed by some of our elders, and many have been challenged or ignored by the younger generation as witnessed by growing crowds in malls or beaches.

Western values have also crept in especially during the Easter Sunday when egg hunts for children are organized and families come together for meals.

Renewal of Christianity

   For the intrinsically devout, the rituals are a way of reinforcing a renewal of baptismal commitments through a period of learning and discernments using the three traditional pillars of Lenten observance: fasting, prayer and almsgiving.

Following is the ending portion of Pope Benedict XVI’s 2011 Lenten message summarizing the essence of Lent. The full version may be accessed at The Holy See’s website (www.vatican.va).

“In synthesis, the Lenten journey, in which we are invited to contemplate the Mystery of the Cross, is meant to reproduce within us “the pattern of his death” (Ph 3: 10), so as to effect a deep conversion in our lives; that we may be transformed by the action of the Holy Spirit, like St. Paul on the road to Damascus; that we may firmly orient our existence according to the will of God; that we may be freed of our egoism, overcoming the instinct to dominate others and opening us to the love of Christ.

“The Lenten period is a favorable time to recognize our weakness and to accept, through a sincere inventory of our life, the renewing Grace of the Sacrament of Penance, and walk resolutely towards Christ.

“Dear Brothers and Sisters, through the personal encounter with our Redeemer and through fasting, almsgiving and prayer, the journey of conversion towards Easter leads us to rediscover our Baptism.

“This Lent, let us renew our acceptance of the Grace that God bestowed upon us at that moment, so that it may illuminate and guide all of our actions.

“What the Sacrament signifies and realizes, we are called to experience every day by following Christ in an ever more generous and authentic manner. In this our itinerary, let us entrust ourselves to the Virgin Mary, who generated the Word of God in faith and in the flesh, so that we may immerse ourselves – just as she did – in the death and resurrection of her Son Jesus, and possess eternal life.”

   This week, let us take some time to reflect on our lives as Christians. May our journey in this world be truly meaningful as followers of the teaching and example of Christ, the Ten Commandments, the precepts of the Catholic Church and its principles of moral life.

Should you wish to share any insights, write me at Link Edge, 25th Floor, 139 Corporate Center, Valero Street, Salcedo Village, 1227 Makati City. Or e-mail me at [email protected]. For a compilation of previous articles, visit www.BizlinksPhilippines.net.