As Spring Season approaches, I spent several nights of isolation and reflection in order to process an objective approach to the idea of Lent. As much as I want to be detached and non-romantic to the story of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, I could not help but be rational and spiritual. I clearly understand that America is a country of freedom and to declare the Holy Week as a holiday is contrary to the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States which provides that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances", and to impose it on business establishments in general and to the people in particular is a blatant disregard of the said Amendment, hence sue able within the framework of American justice system.
Since I left the portals of Casiciaco
Recoletos Seminary in Baguio City, I tried to open my conservative mind to the
ideas of liberal thinkers and media personalities. Consequently, I’ve come to
accept the notion of justified abortion, freedom of religion, use of artificial
contraceptives and gender equality. As I become more moderate in my
values, I’ve always believed that spirituality and religion is part and parcel
of societal order and existence.
America has gone too far in freedom and
religion. The concept of God is left to a mere intellectual classroom
discussion and argument and never a way of life. Religion is no longer at the
center of every home and family. The Holy Bible no longer holds the most
important and sacred place in every house but is left within the bookshelves in
juxtaposition with other secular novels and encyclopedia. The Scriptures
does not get read but left to accumulate dust and serves as a decorative
literature in the library.
The American people (especially in big
cities such as New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Metropolitan Washington DC,
Los Angeles, Las Vegas, etc.) have become more and more secular and
materialistic. The growing erosion of spirituality within the American
psyche could possibly be attributed to the people’s emphasis on too much love
for money and power. As I get around the DC area, I’ve observed that
there are less people in the Church compared to the crowd along the
bike/jogging trails of George Washington Memorial Parkway. The young
adults and teenagers are barely seen in church functions and pastoral missions
but rather they congregate mostly within Georgetown and “M” Street bars and
clubs, within Sports and Health Club, Gold’s Gym and County Recreation Centers
to hone their muscles and figures. A perfect Sunday weather does not translate
to good attendance in the Church but a crowded Potomac River with boat riders
and rowers. Kids are more attuned to Internet games rather than focus on the
readings of Sunday missal. With
too much secularization of American society, I am not surprised why there is
less respect for life in the society especially the unborn. As I reflect
on the flow of events from Afghanistan, Iraq, Katrina, Tornado and the domestic
problems on Health Care, Social Security, Illegal Immigration and soaring
prices in every gas station throughout the country, I come to a conclusion that
there is a need for a moment of recollection and reflection. An arrogant
approach to spreading democracy throughout the Arab region and a bullying
technique would farther result to more violence and aggressive behavior among
the Muslims. A spiritually guided America would be more passionate and
diplomatic in carrying out the message of democracy. I am not asking for an angelic
and apostolic America but a nation under God.
I am neither a religious fanatic nor
heretic because I still believe in the Supreme Being. I am deeply convinced
that the world is in chaos without the guidance of the Absolute, the Unmoved
Mover and the most Powerful Being of all beings. The role of Jesus Christ
in the history of humanity cannot be disputed and therefore deserves a special
place in the pages of our yearly calendar. A small amount of time to
commemorate his passion and death is a great sign of respect for what he stood
for and done for the entire Christendom. Jesus may not be a God to
non-Christians but His works and prophetic missions are incredibly beyond human
nature to comprehend.
As I close the pages of this column, my
opinion should not be interpreted as an ante-thesis to Christian doctrines for
to do so would be an encroachment of theology. More so, this is not to be taken
as a generalization of the American population because the spirituality of the
South has gone so far that conservatism is the only way of life.
The Mail RSS Feed.
