Theological Analysis: Why Filipino Devotion Focuses More on Suffering Than Resurrection
It appears that Filipino culture does not possess a particularly strong emotional attachment to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Instead, fervent devotion is more prominently directed toward the Santo Niño and the Black Nazarene. While the sugat—a re-enactment of the encounter between the Blessed Virgin Mary and the resurrected Jesus—enjoys relative popularity, its duration is brief, lasting at most a little over an hour. In terms of sustained practice, this pales in comparison to the devotion to the Santo Niño, which is maintained through novenas and the prayers recited every Friday.
Sociological and Theological Perspectives
A sociologist of religion or a cultural anthropologist could provide a more nuanced explanation for this particular inclination within local culture. However, my academic background lies in Christian theology, not in those fields. Therefore, I will attempt to offer some theological explanations, or more accurately, a theological critique of how Christian faith has been presented, which may have influenced these cultural practices.
Catechetical Explanations and Their Limitations
In catechesis regarding how salvation was achieved, it is frequently taught that the blood of Jesus was paid as a ransom to secure our freedom as children of God. This narrative suggests we were held in bondage by Satan, and our liberation was accomplished when Jesus' blood was accepted. Alternatively, the concept of redemption is employed, which in a medieval context referred to payment for a slave's freedom. Another explanation posits that since the sin of Adam and Eve was an offense against God, only a divine offering could appease God's wrath, necessitating the death of His Son.
In all these interpretations, it is solely Jesus' death that secures our salvation. The resurrection appears to contribute little to nothing to our redemption. Another theological perspective places greater emphasis on the incarnation of the Son of God, elaborating that God became human so that we might partake in divine nature. While this explanation is preferable to the ransom theory, it still does not explicitly include the resurrection as integral to salvation. Some theologians have developed models highlighting the resurrection's role, but these have not been widely popularized in catechetical teachings.
Pastoral Challenges and Cultural Resonance
On the pastoral front, dramatizing the suffering Jesus endured leading to his death is more straightforward. Preachers with a flair for melodrama often prick our consciences by asserting that our sins continue to crucify Jesus. For instance, they might say, "Look at the face of our Lord, bleeding, gazing at you, pleading not to add to His pain." However, such statements are not applicable during Easter celebrations.
Another difficulty lies in people's struggle to relate to the theme of goodness triumphing over evil. Instead, many observe the morally bankrupt flourishing while the righteous suffer. How can the message that sin is defeated be conveyed when figures like Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu invoke God to justify violence? Similarly, how can we speak of justice overcoming injustice when families of victims of extrajudicial killings remain traumatized, and perpetrators evade accountability? Victims continue to seek justice while victimizers go free.
The Resurrection as a Continuing Challenge
Given these challenges, many simply assert that the resurrection proves Jesus is not merely a prophet but divine. While this is a core tenet of faith, if this were the sole point, why didn't the resurrected Jesus reveal Himself to the Roman soldiers who crucified Him? Why didn't He return to the temple to confront the authorities? Moreover, belief in divinity is meaningful only if it challenges us to become better individuals.
How, then, can we view the resurrection as an ongoing challenge? We must historicize the passion, recognizing that innocent suffering persists today. We are called to take these individuals down from their crosses. The resurrection of Jesus reminds us that this is a continual task, providing strength to fight for values dear to His heart and affirming that the struggle is worthwhile. The pursuit of truth, justice, and human dignity may be arduous, but it justifies every sacrifice.
The philosopher Emmanuel Levinas argued that gazing upon the face of a victim should evoke moral responsibility. Similarly, we should also look upon the face of the resurrected Jesus, who assures us, "I am with you in your fight for truth and justice for the lowly, and no matter what, that fight is worthwhile."
Happy Easter!
