Holy Week Thoughts

'The problem with you, is that you anthropomorphize Jesus.', he told me. We were talking about two things which anyone must not touch on if a pleasant coversation is wanted: politics and religion. For one, the lunch we were having with a bunch of friends was hosted, and cooked, by a politician. The Holy Week was coming up that time: to my mind, no other religious tradition is given the most important than when Lent begins towards Easter Sunday. I am a Protestant, raised as such, and went to Catholic schools for all of my education.

In between gulps of pasta (which I cut with my fork, instead of rolling it around the way it should be before raised to one's mouth), our host went on and on about the religious practices we have during the season: the ash, finger-painted on our foreheads by priests; the processions which parade around the barangay with images of Jesus, Mary and other saints carries on shoulders of men who want to offer sacrifice; the Holy Rosary recited with mysteries meant to remind us of the life, passion, death and resurrection of the Christ. I was raised a Protestant, but grew up in a Catholic school run by nuns. I never had a problem with the merging of both sects. I have always believed that my faith is between me and my God. I kept it simple that way. 

I could not properly respond to our host's remarks. Aside from my inability to eat pasta with sophistication, I was not sure what 'anthropomorphize' meant although I had a fairly good idea. And so, even if I knew I would look like an idiot, I asked our host what the word meant. He defined it for me. 'Oh', I replied. Of course, I started to speak after that, and our host probably regretted teaching me the meaning of the word. First off, I told him, it was not a 'problem' as he termed it. 'You choose to see it as a problem, because you do not practice the faith.', I said. Second, we practice these traditions not because we anthropomorphize Jesus, we simply emphasize and underscore our faith by symbolism, and we need to remind ourselves that Jesus, was human at one point and walked amongst us.' Lastly, I told him, 'I do not think that it is decent for anyone to criticize religion, well, just because one can.' I stopped there. I did not want to keep rambling on and on, lest I be kicked out of the host's house. But I wanted to tell him more. 

I have not always looked at religion as some badge one wears to declare to the whole world that one is a good person. I see it as a means by which people come together and express their faith, a privilege afforded to everyone in this world. I have that privilege, and I respect others in whatever way they want to use that same privilege. My faith, I put on top of my list, which is another story altogether. My faith is between me and my God. He is That Who is a supreme being overlooking from up there in the heavens, orchestrating everything down here: a leaf blown about by the wind wherever it may go; the rivers flowing the surface kissed by the sun, that point which they meet gives off a reflection so beautiful to the eyes; the clouds which seem to be within reach when I stand atop hills; the laughter and the tears from babies which spell hope and a future. These are enough reasons I strive to be a better person each day, based on my faith. All good comes from that. Not 'problems'. 

I wonder what my host would have said if I told him all these. Or if I make sense.