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?

Well friends, both esteem that their works will help them wash away their sins or be “more right” with God. Righteousness is not achieved by shedding our blood through self flagellation or crucifixion. Our blood cannot purchase anything. Our blood is not a worthy sacrifice. 

However, righteousness is also not achieved through fasting, self-denial or being sorry for our sins. Our good works are filthy when compared to the Holiness of God. So what can we do? How do we get saved? Well, we need a Saviour. We need to be saved. Only through Jesus Christ can we receive salvation - can we receive righteousness.

Righteousness is a gift from God, freely given to us through Jesus Christ. For Christ who knew no sin, became sin for us, so that we may become the righteousness of God in Christ. 

This is the gospel. That not through our works are we saved, but we attain our salvation by grace through believing what Jesus has done for us. I don’t condemn anyone who whips themselves. Maybe they believe thats the only way for them.... I don’t condemn anyone who tries to repent from their sins by doing charitable acts or through self-denial. Maybe they believe thats the way for them.

I guess they need to hear the pure, unadulterated Good News. That God so loved the world that HE GAVE His only Son. Not to condemn the world, but through Him the world might be saved. People are at a lost on how to “be right” with God. Jesus will not show the way - HE IS THE WAY.