Holy Week

With the onset of modern technology and the availability of "fast cash" the traditions of Holy Week (where the Catholic Church is concerned) will never be the same again.

I remember, growing up, my parents would tow us all to church on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, to listen to the Washing of the Feet and Seven Last Words, respectively.  I remember feeling bored most of the time because, one, the services were always in Visayan and two, the church (Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Phillips) was always overflowing with people that there was absolutely nowhere at all to sit.  Needless to say, I learned to dread this annual tradition.  To the point when, I was in high school and somewhat enjoying some freedom of independence, I decided NOT to attend mass once, just that once.  It was like a dare, to myself and God knows who else, that if I didn't go, would I get bad luck for the rest of my life?  Well, I didn't go, and I don't think I have been unlucky too much since then, but I sure felt guilty, like breaking a promise.

Today, one can still listen to the sermons and explanations like before, only this time one does not have to leave the comfort of their own home.  Several local television stations broadcast these masses and, what do you know, they're in English, easily understood.  Also, over the years, as more and more new churches are built to serve the ever growing population, we are somehow disappointed to see so few people coming in to sit through the sermons, not so much enough to fill the pews.

Is this the price of modernization?  Are traditions soon to be memories of the past?  If ever I have children, what will I teach them?  Am I willing to pass on the practices my parents introduced us to (though until now they still seem illogical sometimes)?  What will happen to the world when we are all gone? 

Just recently I learned a new word -- CONTINUITY.  It is a most appropriate word as it seems to be the biggest concern of our time today.  How will businesses go on if the owners are getting old and their kids don't want to take over?  How will agriculture survive if the farmers themselves sell their land to real estate developers?  How will the spiritual traditions of the Catholic Church be practiced if modern technology keeps threatening to take it all away?

Something to ponder over and stress about this Holy Week...

Commencement Exercises, Rain and Blessings

We attended Mario's high school graduation ceremonies yesterday.  Mario is our houseboy, and we had been financing his high school expenses at Alae National High School since his 2nd year.  I felt about as proud as, maybe not like a mother hen, but more like a strutting rooster armed with a camera.  Well, there were already three hens present---my mom, Nang Juaning and Mario's mom.

Somehow I always feel a stirring of emotion whenever I hear the strains of the Graduation March.  It makes me stand up straighter, holding my head higher, feeling I could conquer the world.  The guest speaker was an Alae National High School alumna, who, since his graduation 8 years ago, had gone on to bag several honors in college and was now working as a teacher in Quezon City (his dream job) as well as a volunteer for several scientific studies in the Department of Agriculture.  He spoke about parental sacrifice and going out into the world to pursue dreams.  It made me evaluate my life since finishing high school.  What have I done to carve my niche in this world?

The day started bright and sunny, but about halfway through the event, it began to rain---a slow, slight shower, then a strong torrential downpour---forcing the majority of the parents and families to crowd into the limited space of the covered court.  Although the dampness made comfort difficult, I was thankful for the drenching rain.  It was the first thoroughly wet rain in over a month (and if the ground could talk it would have said, "Aaaaaaaaaaaah...") and rain to me is always a sign of blessings to come.  The fact that it was pounding on the roof of the covered court and was seeping onto the dusty concrete floor only made it more gratifying.  I feel this batch of graduates 2010 will see much of the future... this is the beginning of the next generation.

Forward on!