Not having a prominent moniker like the “Palm” for Sunday the “Maundy” for Thursday and the ominous, intriguing “Black” for Saturday doesn’t make Holy Monday a lesser parcel of the Holy Week.
Traditionally, on a Holy Monday, we Christians commemorate the fig tree or “puno ng higera” — which was, in many cases, mentioned in the Bible (more notably in the book of Matthew) — popularly known as “the cursing of the fig tree” where Jesus, in an odd instance cursed and said “May you never bear fruit again!” wherein the said tree quickly withered from the roots.
In this age, Batanguenos or Filipinos in general may have different ways of celebrating the Holy Week. Some may grab the opportunity of paid holidays and run amuck towards famed beach resorts, some may actually do Fasting – an act wherein we restrict ourselves on eating any kind of meat or what we love eating the most in order to “experience” God on a deeper sense. And of course, responsible Christians do the latter.
Classes and work may still not be interrupted during a Holy Monday, you might find yourself in your office, working your brains and your brawns out or in your comfy sala set watching your favorite teleserye (shows are still on-air after all).
But most importantly, remember that Holy, though not as compelling as the abovementioned monikers, has its meaningful reasons – with biblical proportions – to be placed before a Monday.
**Article written by: Joel James Cubillas (with points from online reference http://www.pravmir.com/article_175.html)
**Photo Credit: www.newlife.org