Today is Good Friday. I wish you a 'Good' Good Friday.
In Philippines, the largely Catholic population has strange Holy Week practices. Their Good Friday rituals include nailing themselves onto the cross, and bloody self-flagellation.
This rituals must had historical origin. When the Spanish/Portugese colonized Philippines years ago, they quickly evangelized the people. The Church at that time must had given in to the local pagan practices and allowed the local people to transfer some of such practices to their adopted faith. Now the Catholic Church is too confused on whether or not to agree with such rituals.
Personally, I do not pay attention to worship rituals instituted by church leaders. The older the Church history, the more elaborate the rituals. The dotting of ash on the forehead, the waving of palm leaves, kissing a cross, etc, are all instituted by humans.
I only hold rites which Jesus had instituted for the Church as necessary - the act of Baptism and the Holy Communion.
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