LET’S GET IT ON – The changing times

By Neil Bravo
I was back in my hometown Mati for a short respite, taking advantage of the long Holy Week break. So two days out of the usual grind kind of eased some tension from work. No keyboards to knock and no stories to read. Literally just eat, sleep and some NBA2K15 games on PS4 on the side. It was a break like no other. For one, it was just right on time with my head buzzed all week with nagging pain which the neurologist suspects as migraine pending my date with cranial CT scan this week. The Holy Week break is something we all look forward to. A spiritual break that’s set for our time to reflect and atone for our misgivings rooted on our Catholic faith. Growing up as a kid in my once sleeping hometown (now it has awaken and has become practically like a 24-hour party town), the Holy Week observance is a family practice that’s very sacred. I remember as a boy, my father would require us to hold our rosaries and kneel down for most time of the day in prayer. In those rustic days, we would curl up in bed listening to radio drama shows re-enacting the death of Jesus Christ, listen to the “Seven Last Words” and join all church services. I noticed at those days too, everyone is in deep reflection. You could hardly see a vehicle on the road, or people outside. No one was working and we were told that anything you do in harm of those beliefs will weigh hard on Jesus’ cross and hurt Him more. These days, the practices of the old Holy Weeks days are gone. People take the break as a time for parties, time for the beach, outdoor adventures and time for some good times catching up with friends. Cars abound on the road, stores are open, and bars are serving alcohol. In short, the Holy Week observance has become just a mere thought. The Christian world has changed. Even the traditional fasting is no longer religiously observed. Meats are sold and served like ordinary days, who who’s fasting? I look at children these days and they no longer take the Lenten break the way we took it as kids. Indeed, times have changed. I see this as a big challenge for the Church to bring back the old Lenten tradition. The priests, they too have changed from the modest to the modern, must take the cudgels of restoring the time-honored tradition and the deeply-rooted faith. We don’t need good-looking churches, or priests in flashy cars and updated gadgets. As Pope Francis has reiterated, we go back to the poor church, not a lavish, high-spending clergy. It’s a responsibility I believe the priests and bishops must focus on and not immerse themselves deeply in politics. It’s time they leave politics to those who run the government and the people who do the checks and balances. A “conscience” church is one concerned of its territory first and foremost. The order of the day is simple. First things first—mind its own business, clean the house first before taking up the rest of the environment. I am heading back to work again as I am writing this. The head has rested, the soul is filled. Postscripts: Listen to “Let’s Get It On with Neil Bravo” on 105.9 Balita FM every Saturday 8-10 a.m.