Easter Service 2010

I attended the Alabang New Life Christian Center’s Easter Service which was actually a Musical Theater Production incorporated into the service. The title of the production was “A Wake.” It was a great production that not only told the story of Jesus, but it was able to communicate a shadow of the love expressed by Jesus. 

According to Pastor Paul Chase, hundreds received Jesus during the five services for Easter. 

I loved it when Pastor Paul Chase said that Jesus was our Saviour - and what does a Saviour do? He saves.

That’s the beauty of Christianity. Religions around the world, speak and instruct people to strive to be Holy. Its usually a set of “how to’s” to be worthy of God and His blessings. All religions tell us what to do. Christianity tells us what Christ has done for us. 

Religion is man’s effort to reach God. Christianity is God’s work to reconcile man to Himself. 

And even if its a little late - Happy Resurrection Sunday. Well, actually everyday is Resurrection Sunday - Haha!

GOOD FRIDAY, WHIPPING, NAILING AND PENITENCE IN THE PHILIPPINES

Last Good Friday, April 2 there were again Holy Week devotees who were nailed on the cross and who whipped themselves. From what I know these, devotees were doing penance - doing their part to show how sorry they were for their sins. After all, actions do speak louder than words.

THE BISHOPS SPEAK

Catholic Bishops have discouraged this practice year after year. When looking at this headline, one would feel that the church was really moving a step forward. Looking at the official statement, a bishop told a prominent catholic radio station, “The real expression of Christian faith during Lent is through repentance and self- denial.” He further added that  

 self-flagellation and crucifixion by Catholic penitents were actually “expressions of superstitious beliefs” that are usually done “out of the need for money and for tourism purposes which is totally wrong.”

THE SIDE OF THE DEVOTEES

I am sure that there are some penitents who are doing this for money, but for those who are actually sorry for their sins, these comments may be hurtful. They may be thinking, at least I am doing something about it! At least I am sorry. At least I’m not out there in a beach getting drunk and being immoral. At least I am not using the vacation to just have a good time. At least I am doing something for God!

CAN WE REALLY PAY FOR OUR SINS?

Actually if one can look at it, the genuinely sincere scourged or nail pierced penitent is actually the same as the prayerful, sin repentant, meat fasting and alms giving penitent. Why? How can they be the same? How can they be even compared? How can a barbarous act be equal to acts of kindness?

FROM A BUSTED ALTERNATOR

Funny thing happened to me last Saturday, March 6. In the morning, when I planned to do some chores and buy some sealant for a leaking pipe that we had, I got into my car and I discovered it wouldn’t start. I had intended to bring it to the shop to have the battery checked but now I wouldn’t be able to bring the car at all to the shop. I would have to have a new battery brought at my house.

Long story short, I bought a new car battery and though the car started I found out that there was something wrong with the alternator. I ended up spending over 4 hours in a small “talyer” called EDDIE Electrical and Rewinding Shop. It was hot, and even though I planned to do some chores in the morning, I really wanted to have some fun activities with the kids after finishing up my chores. So spending the time in the “talyer” just shot up my plans.