Her Captivating Fate

Happy Holy Week!

Did I sound so critical with the word “Happy”? Don’t get offended, Holy Week is a time of celebration.

I was raised in a family where we would always go to church on Sunday’s and where attendance is a-must. On Holy Week, we don’t go on vacations because we’re told it’s a sacred week since Christ Jesus died again. So I usually do what the elderly say, be kind, visit churches (the more the better), think of all your sins, confess to the priest, pray to all saints, do the litany and NEVER DO ANYTHING DRASTIC ON GOOD FRIDAY and BLACK SATURDAY OR ELSE NO ONE WILL SAVE YOU NOT EVEN GOD. Like for instance, I remember one of my brothers played basketball on “Good Friday” and got wounded, he was told – “Ay ya, hindi iyan mapapagaling ni Jesus kasi Good Friday ngayon, He is dead“. As kids, we were unaware of the truth.

I actually thought it was a replay kind of way for Jesus Christ whenever Holy Week approaches. Back then, I was scared when Good Friday comes because I would think Jesus Christ was pseudo-dead at 3PM onward and the mumu and evil ones were everywhere roaming. Blimey belief, I know.

Just this morning, our cook told me, “Ate, kakain ka ng Adobo ngayon?“, I answered “Sige, puwede.” And then she said, “Bawal daw ito bukas kasi Good Friday sabi ni Ate (Referring to my mother). Fish lang daw. And ate, sabi ni Jovy bawal daw magshower.” I almost spilled my coffee from laughing. Oh traditions. I asked her “Will it saved you?” And she laughed and pinpointed Jovy, the other helper, who told her that. Traditions made a bigger impact in our society and most of the time they consume our being.

What is the essence of HOLY WEEK? Is it the only time of penance, the only time of collecting tears? I have seen a lot of man-made practices in this time of season while the only reason why we commemorate Holy Week is because of JESUS CHRIST, who by the way is the ONLY WAY.

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!” John14:7

In short, no amount of good works, saints nor extra effort to gain access to GOD aside from Christ. Have you ever thought – “What if Jesus Christ disobeyed His  Father at the Garden of Gethsemane?” Then earth would be doomed like it did in Sodom and Gomorrah.  So am I saying baliwalain or kalimutan na lang ba ang HOLY WEEK? Of course not! What about rituals? It still is your own choice and conviction. Not condemning each person’s belief, I stand that it’s great we have something within us that gives us hope to make us a better human being every single day.

As for me, CHRIST JESUS is who I have been holding on to. The Cavalry – – it is finished. D – O – N – E.

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9

Believers, we have been given a gift not just on Holy Week or even CHRISTmas but everyday – a gift of Salvation. (For people who doesn’t have any idea what I’m talking about, do message me!!! I’m willing to share it with you!!) And the right response if a person gives you a gift is not “how much do I owe you?” but “THANK YOU.” A grateful and worship heart is what GOD really wants from us. Why celebrate death if you could celebrate life?

“HOLY WEEK” should be an everyday thing – a time of repentance and a time of gratification to the ONE person who saved mankind. A time to absorb GOD’s love for us. It’s good to remember though yet it’s best to let it sink deeper into your heart and linger further. Sharing with you a train story about a Father and Son, I still cry every time I watch this one. And each time, it stores in my heart how gracious my GOD is.

Until then. Have a blessed weekend.