Over the years, people's mindset towards religion has changed radically, gradually ditching off the sanctity of religious practices that had been molded the church for centuries. It could be that parents no longer foster the value of religion with their children or the modern world influences present generation how to treat their beliefs.
Whatever it is, I am glad I was raised in a family that considered religion as the focal point of existence. So despite the disrespectful treatment of the current generation towards religion, my deep faith remained unaffected.
I grew up accompanying my father conducting a church service every Sunday since supply of priests in Surigao were scarce and parish priests couldn't normally visit churches in every barangay, so lay ministers often do the job. My father had been serving the Catholic Church as a lay minister since he was a young lad and until now that he's 78 years old.
So our routine during holy week season is only around the church. Only when I entered college in Davao that I was surprised to hear people spending the holy week season on a vacation. My young mind then couldn't comprehend why they wouldn't respect the holiest week in the liturgical calendar that gives meaning to our Christian faith.
The Holy Week has been currently viewed by many as nothing but an opportunity to embark into a long-week vacation, rather than a solemn event that must be observed meaningfully. Many Christians, sad to say, treated it merely as a week to enjoy a trip somewhere rather than spend a day in silence and honor the sacrifices of Jesus.
The death and resurrection of Jesus culminates the Paschal Mystery of the Lord which is the core of the Christian faith. It is important than Christmas. Without it, our Christian faith would be totally meaningless.
This year's Holy Week, just like most Holy Week seasons in my life, is always a period of silence, meditation and self-reflection. My spiritual aspect has matured down these years. And its growth provided me enough opportunity to develop my wisdom and views towards life.
As I get closer to my faith, my spiritual maturity evolves deeper, recognizing what is essential in my life and understanding my deep connection with God. It also allows me to understand other beliefs and their religious structures, respecting their practices and core values.
Spiritual maturity goes beyond the landscape of religion and attending Holy Mass every Sunday, it involves our approach in life and what is necessary. It doesn't confine within the parameters of church and its rules but on the values we manifested towards others.
The Catholic doctrine preaches humility, forgiveness, genuine compassion to the poor and the forsaken and balance of judgment. It means we must foster peace, understanding, fairness, and we've responsibility to protect life and the environment, the defenseless and the downtrodden.
Therefore, we can only achieve spiritual maturity if we know how to value others, respect others' beliefs and dignity of the human life, take care of what is essential in God's eyes and help heal the wounds of division by fostering understanding. Then and only then we can help make this place a better place to live in. We're all God's messengers of peace irrespective of our religion.
The message of Easter is about hope, respect, acceptance and forgiveness, and we must let these virtues inundate our system to promote humility and compassion.
My spiritual maturity also helps me understand and embrace the value of waiting. Whatever awaits me in the future, I know everything is part of God's plan. I always sought comfort in God's compassion, accepting whatever plans He has for me because I know it's always for the best.
"Everything in life happens at a time that God chooses" - Ecclesiastes 3:1-15
Wishing everyone a blessed Easter!
Spiritual maturity goes beyond the landscape of religion and attending Holy Mass every Sunday, it involves our approach in life and what is necessary. It doesn't confine within the parameters of church and its rules but on the values we manifested towards others.
The Catholic doctrine preaches humility, forgiveness, genuine compassion to the poor and the forsaken and balance of judgment. It means we must foster peace, understanding, fairness, and we've responsibility to protect life and the environment, the defenseless and the downtrodden.
Therefore, we can only achieve spiritual maturity if we know how to value others, respect others' beliefs and dignity of the human life, take care of what is essential in God's eyes and help heal the wounds of division by fostering understanding. Then and only then we can help make this place a better place to live in. We're all God's messengers of peace irrespective of our religion.
The message of Easter is about hope, respect, acceptance and forgiveness, and we must let these virtues inundate our system to promote humility and compassion.
My spiritual maturity also helps me understand and embrace the value of waiting. Whatever awaits me in the future, I know everything is part of God's plan. I always sought comfort in God's compassion, accepting whatever plans He has for me because I know it's always for the best.
"Everything in life happens at a time that God chooses" - Ecclesiastes 3:1-15
Wishing everyone a blessed Easter!
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