“Unlocking the Power of Holy Week: A Guide to Spiritual Growth”
Captain’s Log: Day #27 of my 30-Day Challenge to write a 500-word article every day for the next 30 days.
Today is Palm Sunday. And as tradition dictates, most Filipino Catholics who go to church today will probably have a “Palaspas” or Palm blessed by the priest when they get home.
It usually indicates that the Holy Week has already started. I remember back in my younger years, we would always buy one or two palms and have them displayed at home. If you lived in the province, this was like an amulet against ghosts and evil creatures.
Before the internet became what it is today, Holy Week was solemn, usually, at this time it was already school break or if you were already working, there would be less traffic on the roads as most people have already gone home to the province.
In Manila where we lived before, TV programs are streamlined to align with the current season, so you would see movies like “The 10 Commandments”, “Adam and Eve”, or any bible stories. Some of the noontime shows have a Lenten special where they would be in a 3-day drama series, usually centered on the theme of Lent: forgiveness, sacrifice, and becoming a better person through change.
In the province, there are a lot more activities going on, and sometimes a lot of restrictions as well. For instance, when we were kids, my mom and grandma would always scold us when we would play and run around, saying that if we get a wound during this time, it would take too long to heal because god is dead.
There are also processions, the penance, where some people whack their backs while walking along with the procession, in some other provinces like Pampanga, people get themselves crucified in an attempt to reenact the events in the bible, although some people may find this a bit morbid.
Some people use this time as well to go on vacation. To get away from the busyness of the metro and spend some quality time on the beach or just hang around and enjoy summer in the province.
Speaking of the Holy Week, this season offers a great opportunity for reflection and spiritual growth
While I do not claim to be a religious person, to me this season is a time when we can reflect, review and revisit some of our goals, be they personal or professional, and assess how we are moving along. It’s also a good time to get in touch with your spiritual needs.
Whether you are religious or not, the Holy Week can be a time for introspection and contemplation on your spiritual journey. Here are some ways to deepen your spiritual connection during this time
- Define your spirituality. When I was younger, I always thought that this was just about religion. But I realize now that it is a much bigger picture. Define your beliefs around the subject, take some time out, and write down what your thoughts are.
- Have a spiritual goal. What do you want to achieve in this area of your life? Do you want to be a more prayerful person? Do you want to read the bible more? Understand other people’s religions. Write it down in your journal.
- Choose a daily practice. Once you have defined your beliefs and set your goals, it’s time to put them into practice. What one thing do you commit to doing in this area of your life?
As the Holy Week approaches, let us use this time to reflect, connect, and grow spiritually. As we enter a very solemn and traditional season for Catholics around the world, let’s make sure that we don’t just use the holidays to get some rest but also to find more meaning in our lives so we can become better people.
