We have just observed the Holy Week, a significant period when Christians commemorate the last week of Jesus Christ’s life, which led to his crucifixion and resurrection. In the Philippines, Christians like those the world over spent time for reflection, devotion, celebration and family reunion.
We start with Palm Sunday. The Bible tells of Jesus entry into Jerusalem, which symbolize hope and joy. The faithful celebrates the holy mass with the blessing of palms in commemoration of the jubilant reception that took place when Jesus entered Jerusalem.
Holy Thursday, also referred to as Maundy Thursday reminds us of Jesus last supper with, and his washing of, the feet of his disciples teaching us the value of love and humility.
Good Friday is the day of mourning reminding us of Jesus’ crucifixion and death on the cross, a supreme sacrifice for the redemption of mankind from the quagmire of sins.
This was followed with the observance of Holy Saturday when the body of Jesus was laid in the tomb.
And finally, Easter Sunday, the third day when Jesus resurrected a symbol of triumph over sins and death, a blessed assurance and hope for a new and eternal life for the faithful believers.
This years observance of the Holy Week offers an important pause in the political campaign in the coming midterm elections. Many times in many places and ocassions we see cases of betrayals, remembering the people who triumphantly received Jesus as he entered Jerusalem are the same people who shouted “crucify him!’’.
