Flagellation in Pampanga

Being new here in Pampanga, I was surprised these past two days to see that a lot more self-flagellants with bloodied bare backs are beating themselves up out in the city of San Fernando than any other place where I have been to during this Holy Week. For me, there were just too many which really intrigued me.

I checked the news on the internet and I found out that flagellation (self-inflicted or not) is also being done by many during this Holy Week all over the world but there's just a lot more who are doing it in the Philippines and I believe, a lot more especially in Pampanga.

Colonized by Spain

It was also interesting for me to discover that most of those who flagellated themselves this week seem to come from countries which were once colonized by Spain, a staunchly Catholic country which once colonized a large part of the world. I have also learned that the current Catholic Church teaching strongly discourages and frowns upon this wrong practice by its membership.

Panata, Salvation

Traditionally in the Philippines, why do they do it? I think that they do it because they want God to give them their request whether it be forgiveness, blessings, riches, a wife, a child or any other request. Some do it because they have promised to do so after God has "granted" them their request -- some vow or panata. Some do it because they think that by doing so, they can gain God's favor leading to salvation -- a ticket to heaven. These are some of what I usually hear as reasons for flagellation.

Beating One's Self

This is really sad because beating one's self  is not really necessary to earn God's favor. I am a father and I love my two kids. I don't expect or require them to beat themselves to death before I give them my love. They don't have to earn my love. Freely, I give them my love, without conditions. I love them period.

God Loves You!

It's no different with God who is love. Our salvation does not depend on our performance, our good works, our good deeds -- on flagellation to force God to favor us or grant us our request.

God Loves You and Me, Period!

Why should it be any different with God? He is love. God is love. He even gave his Son for mankind's sins. God loves us more than he loves himself according to Thomas Torrance. This is great love. We should not doubt his love. It's guaranteed. Nothing can separate us from God's love. God loves you and me, period. Salvation is assured because God loves you and me.