Holy Week

I tried to observe the Holy Week traditions/practices this year. For the very first time in my near 30 years of being a Catholic. The reason? I just want to try it.

It started on Ash Wednesday. Fail. 

I did not have my forehead "ashed" (?!?). I tried to go to Guadalupe church early, but the church was closed when I got there. I thought the church will be open by then. I did not have the chance to go to church that evening. 

Also on that same day, I tried to "abstain" from food. Another fail.

From the strictest sense of "abstinence" one is not allowed to eat along with meat, any food that contains milk and dairy products (except eggs). I drank 2 yakult that day. But nonetheless I only ate ponkan (local orange fruit) and lots of water and one egg (because I was so hungry that night). 

On Fridays within the Lenten season, I should not eat meat. But I reduced this to not eating pork alone as I can't bare it to work on an empty stomach with only fruits and vegetables to sustain me. Also it should only be one full meal (but you can eat small snacks as long as it will not equate to a full meal). Another fail. 

One Friday, I was almost finish eating binagoongang baboy when I realized it was Friday! On another occasion, I ate snacks (dinner) which made me feel full (french fries and fresh lumpia).

Now that the Lenten season is coming to a close, there is only one more Friday to abstain any food. I hope I will make it! 

Though one might say that the modern interpretation of abstinence and fasting is not only on food per se but I realized that it is very hard to deny oneself of the basic needs (food), and that it is easier said that done. I now have great respect to those people who can go for days (or even months) with only water and little food, praying and in solitude. 

I might have only zeroed in on the food and not eating part but I guess I will try this again next year and on that time I should up the ante and focus on the spiritual and meditation. The holy week should be deeper in meaning that just being deprived of food. I may have failed now but it did not hurt trying and maybe in a small amount I have thought of the real meaning of this season and that is Jesus died for us, and that is a sacrifice heavier than any fasting or abstinence.