As a Catholic nation, Holy Week in the Philippines has always been an important time. And right now, pausing to reflect on all that is happening with the war in the Middle East, I can’t help but think how “heavier” everything is.
It’s one of the few times in the year that the country collectively pauses. The usual rush of traffic softens, businesses slow down, and entire families begin their quiet migration – some back to their provinces, others to churches for Visita Iglesia, and many simply home, choosing stillness over noise.
However, right now, the world beyond our shores feels unusually close. The ongoing war in the Middle East is not just another distant headline – it’s something that sends shockwaves in our daily lives ever since it started.
“Love Thy Neighbor as I Have Loved You”
We feel it in every news article that shows fuel prices rising steadily. We hear it in conversations about inflation, about food costs, about uncertainty. And for millions of OFWs in the Middle East, the war is something immediate, something tangible, and something frightening.
It is so strange to me, how a solemn week rooted in reflection, sacrifice, and hope now unfolds alongside images of conflict, displacement, and fear.
Just last year, Holy Week was simple, “traditional”. It was a quiet time for reflection, a brief and scheduled respite from work and responsibilities, and a time for prayer and for family. This week, it’s all of those, yes, but with a backdrop of soaring fuel costs, uncertainty, and news updates that seem to be more incredulous than the last.
You can’t help but think about how deeply connected we are to the rest of the world. A conflict thousands of kilometers away affects the price of gasoline in Manila. Drone attacks affect jeepney drivers trying to make ends meet. Closure of a body of water causes business owners in the local palengke to pay more for the delivery of fish and other produce.
With all that is happening in the world, this recent conflict was a harsh reminder and wake-up call that we are not as insulated as we sometimes think.
This, I think, makes the Holy Week even more meaningful. Because at its core, this week is about suffering – but also of redemption. It’s about the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, and about freeing our souls from sin.
Regardless of religion or creed, all of us are connected, as we inhabit this small space of the universe. And the Catholic tenet of “love thy neighbor as I have loved you” is something that we all need to be reminded of in these contentious times.
A Deep Awareness of Our Connection to the World
Perhaps this year, our reflection can go beyond the usual rituals. Maybe it’s not just about fasting from food, but from indifference. Maybe it’s about recognizing that while we are blessed to observe this week in relative peace, many are not.
The Philippines has always been resilient. I know we can get through this. But resiliance should not mean numbness. If anything, moments like this should sharpen our empathy, not dull it.
Holy Week invites us to slow down, to look inward – but perhaps also to look outward with clearer eyes.
So as we go through the familiar traditions – whether it’s Visita Iglesia, or the Pabasa, or simply just taking a break from the usual routine – I hope we carry a deeper awareness with us. Not just of our own lives, but of the wider world we are part of.
This week, let’s pause not just to remember, but to respond in whatever small ways we can – through prayer, through awareness, through kindness, through choosing to care a little more than we usually do.
And let’s all pray a little bit harder for peace. We need to do that now more than ever.
Email: wednesdayswithnic@yahoo.com X: @nicgoesonline