By the way, it’s not true that it is called "Mahal na Araw" because the price of gasoline went up again (nagmahal!).

Rather it’s called "Mahal na Araw" because Jesus by His terrible suffering and death bought (redeemed) us at a very high price.

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This is graphically depicted in Mel Gibson’s gory film "Passion of the Christ." We should reflect on Passion and Death of the Lord with an eye on the "happy ending" — Easter Sunday.

Unfortunately for many, this Christ-centered commemoration is being eroded or marred by mundane activities.

For instance, many view Holy Week more as a much-awaited holiday for secular activities like reviewing tax records to beat the tax deadline or motoring up to Baguio or Tagaytay or hying away to some beach resort to beat the summer heat.

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Others indulge only in recreation, sometimes unholy, like gambling or, worse, getting high on dangerous drugs!

While rest and recreation are part of the Holy Week break, let us not forget to devote some time for prayer, reflection and penitential acts, and one way of doing this is to participate in the church’s liturgical activities or join a retreat.

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This is actually the reason we Filipinos are given the long holiday. In other countries, like the USA, they don’t have such "luxury."

Incidentally, self-flagellation and crucifixion are frowned upon as forms of penitensya by Church authorities.

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The fact that they are done in public, drawing the attention of people and yes, tourists, makes these acts appear only for display. (In some places where crucifixions are done, I was told the spectators are charged a fee…a "talent fee" perhaps).

Some better forms of penance are fasting, works of charity, and getting reconciled with someone you’re not in talking terms with.

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Why only one HOLY Week? A friend of mine Atty. Braulio Tansinsin shares his insight on ‘Semana Santa’: "Almost three decades ago during Holy Week, we came across a procession in Libertad Street, Pasay City, where drug addicts, snatchers, thieves and robbers, and petty criminals joined.

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"We joked that the priests and bishops are at fault because out of the 52 weeks in a year, only one is a HOLY WEEK. Are the other weeks not holy?

"Maybe it is now timely to change Holy Week to ‘Holiest Week’ or ‘Santisima Semana’ so that many Christians and criminals, including politicians, will not be misled to believe that outside of Holy Week is no longer holy." Something to think about.

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THE LIGHTER SIDE. A drunken man boards a bus. A Bible preacher goes to him and scolds him, "You’re going straight to hell!

The man exclaims, "My gosh, then I’m on the wrong bus!"

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Nun to drunken man praying the Stations of the Cross: "Mister, you’re doing it backwards!"

Man: "Ha, no wonder, Jesus Christ gets stronger and stronger after every Station!"

Nice to see you’re attending Mass again," said the priest, meeting a parishioner in the street. "Is it because of my sermons?"

"Not yours," was the reply. "My wife’s!"

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MISSION ORIENTATION COURSE. An orientation course for missionaries going overseas for the first time is offered annually by the Missionary Sisters of the Holy Spirit (SSpS) and the Divine Word Missionaries (SVD) on May 3-13, 2005 at the Holy Spirit Mission Center, Tagaytay City.

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The orientation course, going on its 24th this year is a live-in seminar for Religious Sisters, Brothers, Priests and Lay Missionaries preparing to work in overseas mission.

The course aims to help the participants meet the challenges of their new overseas assignment, and share their hopes, fears and dreams with others who are also preparing to be involved in cross-cultural mission.

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For particulars, contact Sr. Mary Evelyn Bautista, SSpS at P.O. Box 2669, 1166 Quezon City or call tel. 721-7286; tel./fax 7217306 or cell phone 09187284867. E-mail: smevellyn2002@yahoo.com or missipic@yahoo.com.