Lenten Renewal

Half way through Lent , we find ourselves praying for more cleansing and more purity in our relationship with God. Although lent is not required anywhere in the scriptures, it has been a custom, which Christians have practiced for most of the last two thousand years. In many languages, the word “Lent” actually means “Fast.” This is where the custom of giving up something for Lent originated.
I remember my grandparents always asked us during Lent to refrain from boisterous laughter, and even abstain from watching television. We were taught as children to “give up something” for Lent. The sacrifices in Lent are really penance, in the same spirit as the Ninehvites, who repented at the preaching of Jonah. Throughout our history, Christians have found prayer, fasting and almsgiving to be important parts of repentance and renewal. Many Christians now add something during Lent, rather than giving up something, either to address personal habits that need work or to add some outreach to others in need. It is not necessary to “give up something”, but it would be a tragedy to do nothing.
Traditionally, in the Philippines, throughout the Season of Lent, parishes experience rich and diverse devotional practices. Lent is celebrated with deep prayer, reflection, and renewal of Christian practices such as Stations of the Cross, perpetual adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and processions. Such devotions are useful preparations for the celebration of the Lord’s Passion and Death in Holy Week.
Acts, such as kissing of the cross, traditional singing and dramatization of the story on the passion of Christ, blessing of the palms on Palm Sunday, the Holy Thursday ritual of washing the feet, the Good Friday vigil and Easter are devotional exercises to help foster the liturgical spirit, with which the faithful can prepare themselves for the celebration of Christ’s paschal mystery.
However, this religious event gave birth also to famous places of interest. In Marinduque, there is the Moriones Festival, where people dress up like Roman soldiers to remember the beheading of Longinos, a Roman centurion, who pierced the side of the crucified Christ. In Sipalay, Negros Occidental, quack doctors go to unexplored caves on Good Friday, in search of amulets for healing and power.