A Time To Renew

    Lent is the season of the church year that follows the Epiphany Season. Lent, or Kwaresma in Filipino, is a season during which Filipinos remember the love of God that is poured out through Jesus Christ on the cross in his death; and his defeat of death, sin and Satan in Christ’s death and resurrection that brings eternal life to you. It's known as Mahal na Araw or Semana Santa in the Philippines. This season has a penitential character, a solemn nature to it. This is to help us remember to be repentant and remind us of our sin and our mortality.

Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday, Pabasa ng Pasyon, Cenacle, and Visita Iglesia are some of the religious activities made by Filipinos during Lenten Season. Lent season also includes traditional practices: prayers, devotions, fasting and other religious rituals that contribute to remembering Jesus Christ's life to save us during Holy Week. Fasting from foods such as meat is universal practice, however there are a variety of ways to exercise self-discipline.

Filipinos are certainly rich in culture and tradition, which makes every event more fun and much awaited. We may differ in ways of observing the Lent and offering sacrifice during the season, what matters the most is the pure intention and sincerity of a person. Overall, the important thing to consider during Lent is how it will force you to grow as a person and as a Christian. You can’t grow without challenge and reflection. You reflect to recognize your faults and face adversity so that by Easter you have, in some way, improved yourself.

References:

Ash Wednesday: Beginning of the Lenten Journey. Ferguson, Nancy. Ministry Matters. February 17th, 2021. https://www.ministrymatters.com/all/entry/3632/ash-wednesday-beginning-of-the-lenten-journey

Devotions and Prayers for Our Second Pandemic Lent. California Catholic Conference. https://cacatholic.org/article/devotions-and-prayers-our-second-pandemic-lent