Sacrificial Lambs in the Heat of the Sun

Sacrificial Lambs in the heat of the sun:

Repentance, the significance of Flagellation

It may be both brutal and humiliating but it was always considered a spiritual act.

The country have always practiced the tradition of Penitensya during holy week.  Penitensya is where people would flagellate their selves and even wound themselves or carry a cross, some would even allow themselves to be crucified as well.

They would do it publicly, Public penance as it is called. As if it is to discipline who they are because we all are sinners. With this act they are interpreting the pain and suffering of our Lord Jesus Christ.

But is it really that necessary and significant to re-enact this kind of suffering?

                                                  

Public Penance

Repentance, it is the concept behind all of it. As sinners, we all desire to be forgiven, especially by our Heavenly Father. Catechism of the Catholic Church states that the Sacrament of Penance is what consecrates the Christian sinner's personal and ecclesial steps of conversion, penance, and satisfaction.

Sin before all else is an offense against God, a rupture of Communion with him. And only God forgives sins. (www.vatican.va) The Sacrament of Penance is therefore a sacrament of forgiveness, a sacred act of being reconciled with the Heavenly Father.

A part in the Passion play during Holy Week. 

Self - flagellation may be grotesque but for devout Filipino Catholics it is a form of discipline. They do it to punish their selves for being a sinner, for having sinned, everything for our Lord Jesus' suffering.

It may be defined as the beating or whipping of skin, often on the back drawing blood.

Expression of guilt and remorse for the suffering of Christ.

A widespread practice in the Catholic faith.

Even the late Pope John Paul II, now a saint would whip himself and even Opus Dei, an institution of the Catholic Church founded by Saint Josemaria Escriva which is known for having a reputation of secrecy is also observing this practice.

Corporal Mortification, as they term it is regularly practiced by Opus Dei; a startling aspect for those outside their group. It is a spiritual and unnatural practice of causing pain to oneself through bodily injury. Many of the practices of corporal mortification were at one time more regularly practiced within the Church.

However, due to modern psychology and thinking, the practices which inflict pain are sometimes considered to be counterproductive to one's spiritual development, as they can easily lead to pride and an unhealthy attitude toward one's body. (odan.org/corporal_mortification)

Catholic historian, Professor Michael Walsh says that this has been done up to the 1960s but is 'uncommon' today. It is acted out for symbolic purposes during penitential processions as a reminder that Christ was whipped before crucifixion.

But for others, self - flagellation is a more private expression of their faith. Professor Lewis Ayres, a Catholic theologian says that Early Christians believed that the notion of bodily penance allowed control of the body and emotions in order to focus more fully on worshiping God.

According to him, part of a good life is remorse and remorse can be shown through physical suffering.

Pope John Paul II was a firm believer in the New Testament tradition of suffering, a consistent theological historical position that a good life is simply preparation for death and life everlasting to follow, he says.

Early  Christians believe that the body is sinful, evil, dangerous, needed to be controlled. But such practices are not healthy yet we try to cope up with and understand why such are common tradition.

Faith is somehow vast to be explained. It may as well be bleak; mysterious and confusing. But there are those who hold onto it, gripped it with their entire body and soul and that we must understand for that may be the essence of their existence.