Philippines always makes us astonish.
Penitencia is one of the most unusual Christian rituals performed nowadays.I’m ashamed to admit that I had no idea that the Philippines is the only officially Christian nation in Asia. What surprised me even more was their strong belief in God and the rituals they perform to prove their faith.
One of these rituals is Penitencia, where people actually get themselves nailed to the cross like Jesus Christ was. Others dress up like Roman soldiers and do all the nailing and the torturing. No one really dies in these proceedings, because they are only crucified for minutes, not hours, but it definitely isn’t pleasant( those nails really hurt).
The crucified also carry their cross to the crucifixion site and are tormented along the way, just so they can feel exactly what our Savior did.
I can’t say I don’t admire their faith, but I don’t think that is Exactly how they should express it
Stumble it!
I think it is too bad that humans still have not evolved further to step back and take a big, wide look at themselves and the world. Crucifixion was a practice 2000 years ago, so a) how does doing it today benefit anyone and b) do we really think God is so small as to delight in these unnecessary personal punishments.
Yes, Jesus was crucified and suffered, but millions of children, women and men all over the world are still suffering greatly today even if they are not crucified -should we start mimicking their pain too. You can inflict all the pain of the world on yourself and you will not lessen the pain of others one bit. So would it not make sense to take part in something that actually can lessen the pain in others?
Don’t get me wrong I am not putting down Jesus and what he went through, I just wish humans woke up a little and put some proactive action where we can actually show we are children of God, not keep imitating acts that literally waste people’s time and efforts and keep us living in the past instead of moving forward.