the other night, my sister and i were watching a news coverage of the last feast of the black nazarene in quiapo, manila. although it was not the first time we saw how the feast was celebrated, we were still amazed with the number of people who flocked the venue and how it was participated. we figured how dangerous it was, more dangerous than the carera del torro in spain and log riding in japan. it was basically, a mob of strong catholic devotees, struggling in carrying and reaching the nazarene's cart, believing that their prayers will be answered and miracles to happen. suddenly, my sister is up to it again.
you see, my sister and i, although we are close siblings, we happen to share an entirely different points of view when it comes to lots of things. she is licensed physical therapist, while i am a social scientist. oftentimes, she would scold me when it comes to my health: my smoking, my eating habits, my physical activities and what not. but there is a very thin instances from which i could scold about my thing. while we were watching, she reacted on how people gets wild on such occassion, that they don't realize that they are hurting each other. she added, that it is just an idol, that god is more than the figures that are displayed inside churches. bagay lang yan. i was surprised on her reaction because i know her catholic faith is stronger than what i have.
seeing an opportunity, i immediately grab the opportunity to get inside her brain. i told her that each individuals have their own ways of expressing their religion, regardles what religion that may be, that these expression have actually set the biggest wars in human history. i admit that i may not be a religious person but i strongly believe that one should respect the spirituality and how it is express regardless, how bizarre it may be. i added, you go to church and hear the litany of the priest, right?!
would it be logical if i would tell you that id rather put my faith to these figures than believing what priests tell us? isn't that priests are just human as well and they are actually more vulnerable in giving out false information than these figures. if you are going to think of it, i find these figures more helpful in nourishing ones faith for it actually nourishes one's spirituality by creating a more personal connection with one self to god. my sister just stared at me and walked out of the room, again. the same reaction she did when we had an arguement about the hacienda luisita case.
i just laughed at her. but at the back of my head, and told myself, what a nice pay back from a brother who is struggling to have his sister over a cup of coffee and talk things like these. if i could do it with my friends, then why am i struggling to it with her? although i know that it will make our bond tighter. i just wish or pray that i could.
24 comments:
well i still find that discussion you both just had as intelligent.
pikon ata si ate.
i do share her views on the matter, though not just on icon worship alone but in many things institutionalized religion has done to society and to man's spirituality.
it is sad to witness that so many people struggle and fight for things that are, in reality, not important at all. faith, spirituality and godliness comes from within. it is not given off from a lectern, nor from a graven image, nor from a pilgrimage.
religion, with all its traditions and practices had made man's function and relationship with his god abnormal. to the point where man would even prefer his traditions now over having the genuine article. why do you think the Jews crucified Jesus way back when, despite them having waited for Him for the past 2000 years?
on your difficulty with "bonding" nakakarelate ako. Siguro nga kasi, nandun yung "obligasyon" factor, kasi nga alam mo na parang kailangan mag bond. Pag barkada kasi, mas free ang flow eh. Kumbaga, merong blood ties, and most often than not, the ties that bind are those that strangle too.
hayy.. no choice i have to agree with you ewik.
i just figure out this things noong pumunta kami sa quiapo.
the need for self-expression.
walang ganiyang mga discussion sa bahay namin dahil sa heirarchy of truth: mas nauna ka pinanganak mas tama ka. walang tanong tanong. sabi nga ni cristopher de leon sa dekada '70: basta sumunod ka na lang!
I love arguing with my siblings. It spices up our relationship. Hehehe.
On idol and priests, personally I believe that our relatioship with the Almighty should not be based on both. The foundation for idol worship and belief in religious leaders come from the doctrine; the teachings. It is upon the written word that people should base their faiths. Anything other that is fanaticism. Just my two cents.
hehehe. honga, parang napikon si ate. mashadong na-overpower ng arguments mo. hehehe.
to a certain extent, i would agree with your contentions kuya ewik hehe
to a certain extent, i would agree with your contentions kuya ewik hehe
pumunta ako nun pero huling misa na, yung 10pm mass. kasi akala ko konti nlang tao, pero windang ako, full force parin....
relate ako sa ate mo hahaha, ganyan din kasi ako minsan eh. ako ang panganay kaya may ugali akong dominante at gusto ko lagi ang masusunod. lagi pa pag may diskusyon kami, lagi kong spluk ang linyang 'eh mas marunong ka pa kasi sa akin eh!!!'
kapag binara ako ng mga sisteret ko at wala na akong maisip pang banat.... TSE! sabay walk out
hahahaha....
this is not an issue of religion but ur struggle on how to bond with ur sister. havent u notice how she wanted to meet u in the middle by expressing a liberal idea on the quiapo scenario? sometimes u really need to meet people halfway in order to have a win win situation.
kaunting lunok lang ng kfc ang kailangan diyan. :)
peace. :)
Sa mga isyung yan naghihiwalay ang simbahan. Sana hindi yun mangyari sa inyo.
Pero alam mo na hindi ka na saradong katoliko di ba?
ang sarap mo sigurong makausap... para kasing bihira na lang akong magkaron ng intellectual or spiritual talk with someone..yung may sense ba? hehe!
It's just a relic. Nothing more, nothing less.
But yeah, we should respect each other's beliefs. Eh kung gusto ba nila magpatayan dun eh. It is their calling. We should respect that.
They're old enough to understand the risk they have to take.
On practical and reasonable matters however, it's entirely a different argument.
wala din ganitong discussions sa bahay namin, wala rin naman akong problem sa pakikipagbonding sa mga kapatid ko... ka-jamming ko pa nga sila sa kantahan, lahat kasi kami may iisang pinagkakasunduan - music.
madalas lang namin pag-awayan ang remote ng TV. hehehe.
well, i was raised a protestant but i am always amazed by the great expression of faith of catholics - from architecture to the exquisite ceremonies and the art... i'd definitely be in awe to see the black nazarene parade unfold right before my eyes!
I agree with you. But I agree with your sister, more. hehehe. I respect what these people believe, and what they're doing. But, I personally will not waste my time, and endure being in a middle of rowdy crowd for hours just to touch this Sto. Nino as a sign of faith or for healing, etc.
As what my sister thought me, It's even better to just pray at home, alone, it's far more solemn that way. And perhaps the solemnity provides a better connection with God. ahem. that's actually, my excuse for not regularly going to the church. hehehe.
*To the spool artist, glad you've notice the Architecture in Roman Catholic churches. I've always wondered why it has to be so grand. Let's ask the Romans...
ganun talaga paf family. in my case, i usually have discussions/arguments not with my bro but with mom & pop. RIOT!
if such exercise serves the purpose of the devotee then SO BE IT. ;-)
Such a moment is good for a start. Next time sama ka pa lagi pag nasa harap siya ng tv! Tuloy coffee na yan!
I agree with you. We may not understand the ways these people express their faith, pero way kasi nila yun. Respect na lang dba?
to each of his own, i guess.each person choose their way of faith. whether to invest your faith on something or someone is actually out of other people's business. it is you who practices and lives your faith. so who cares if you believe in the salvation and the healing power of the black nazarene of quiapo?
i wish you all the best with your sister. hanapin mo lang kiliti niya, makakapag-usap din kayo ng todo.
=)
maybe you were too harsh kasi... besides, she's your ate... an older sibling that is, so you should probably also ego-check. dba? and pwede naman e, madali lang yan, one step at a time... hahaha...
btw, i don't believe in religion but i let them do what these people want to do. it's their life and beliefs anyway... hahaha...
oops, ate nga ba? hahaha... parang may nabasa akong ate e... hehehe...
i agree with you. i have the same view with your sister before. I was in Quipo that friday feast. Celebrating with a office mate who live there. It was nice. You should go there and experience it next year. THe crowd is unbelievable. : )
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