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Holy Week musing: Churchgoers not 'holier' than vacationers, prelate says

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Jamaine Punzalan, ABS-CBN News

<figure class="op-interactive"><div id="IVS_ABS_Body_Video_1_Container"> <ivs-player id="IVS_ABS_Body_Video_1" data-ivs-spid="3001339" data-ivs-key="e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603" data-ivs-vid="1455054" data-ivs-floating="1"></ivs-player> <script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/iframe-parent.js"></script> <script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/loader.js"></script> </div></figure><p>MANILA - This Holy Week, millions of Filipino Catholics are set to commemorate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ through an array of yearly traditions, including Lenten plays or &quot;Senakulo,&quot; &quot;Pabasa&quot; or reading of religious texts, and the Visita Iglesia.</p><p>Others, however, are set to take advantage of non-working holidays this week to have some downtime in tourist destinations. </p><p>For Archbishop Emeritus Oscar Cruz, where one spends the week matters less than what one does to reflect on the passion and death of Jesus Christ. </p><p>&quot;Hindi po kung saan kayo pupunta sa mga araw na ito, kundi anong gagawin niyo. Halimbawa, kung sabihin sa akin na lahat ng pumunta sa mga simbahan ay mas banal kaysa sa mga taong pumunta sa beaches -- hindi naman siguro,&quot; Cruz said in a phone interview with radio DZMM. </p><p>&quot;Hindi naman ibig sabihin na ang lahat ng andito na hindi nagbakasyon ay mas &#x27;banal&#x27; kaysa sa mga nagbakasyon.&quot; </p><p>(It&#x27;s not about where you will go, but what you will do. For instance, if you tell me that those who went to churches are holier than those who went to beaches -- that may not be true. Those who stayed in their homes and did not take vacations are not necessarily holier than those who did.) </p><p>Cruz urged the faithful to spend Holy Week by praying and reflecting on Christ&#x27;s suffering on the cross -- regardless of where one is. </p><p>&quot;Saan man kayo magpunta, iyun lang sana, huwag nating alisin sa isip natin na ang linggong ito, ang semana na ito, ay santa. Tinatawag tayo ng Diyos na mag-isip tayo, magtika tayo sa masama at humingi tayo ng mga biyaya para makagawa ng mas mabuti,&quot; he said. </p><p>(No matter where you will go, let us remember that this week is supposed to be holy. God is calling us to reflect, repent our sins and ask for blessings to do more.) </p><p>He also enjoined the public to not just seek forgiveness from God, but strive rather to do good. </p><p>&quot;Kung minsan, para bang napapansin ko po na parang kontento na tayong hindi gumawa ng masama, magsisisi tayo sa masamang nagawa... Kaya lang, kulang,&quot; Cruz said. </p><p>&quot;Tama po iyung magtika tayo, magsisi tayo sa kasamaan nating nagawa. Pero katumbas po nun, sana sikapin din natin na gumawa ng mabuti.&quot; </p><p>(Sometimes, I notice that we seem content with not committing sins and just repenting our sins. It is right that we repent for our shortcomings. But that is not enough. Let us strive at the same to do good.)</p>

<p>For Archbishop Emeritus Oscar Cruz, where one spends the week matters less than what one does to reflect on the passion and death of Jesus Christ.</p>

For Archbishop Emeritus Oscar Cruz, where one spends the week matters less than what one does to reflect on the passion and death of Jesus Christ.

Holy Week musing: Churchgoers not 'holier' than vacationers, prelate says

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Holy Week musing: Churchgoers not 'holier' than vacationers, prelate says

Jamaine Punzalan,

ABS-CBN News

Published April 12, 2017 10:02 PM PHT

Read More:

DZMM

Oscar Cruz

Catholic Church

religion

Holy Week 2017

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