Good Friday

MANILA, Philippines – “A Far Greater Love,” a song that alludes to Jesus Christ’s death on the cross, sets the tone for Rappler’s Holy Week Online on Good Friday, April 6.

“Fear no harm, we are ruled by a far greater love,” goes the song, written by Jesuit priests Manoling Francisco and Johnny Go, and performed in a music video by the Jesuit Music Ministry. Rappler carries this video featuring Michael Shimamoto with John Paulo Reyes, William Ocier, and Alberto Antonio Jr.

The song provides the theme of our Good Friday package – sacrifice – to coincide with traditional rites commemorating the death of Christ.

“Here is the definitive example of a love that would offer everything of himself, even his very life, for the Beloved, making it ‘the greatest love story ever told,’” writes Fr Nono Alfonso, executive director of Jesuit Communications Foundation Inc, in his reflection. “When you look at the cross, do you recognize this utterly generous love?”

Letting go

Sacrifice, like Christ’s, requires us to let go at times.

The Daily Om, a website whose inspirational pieces also appear on Rappler this Holy Week, stresses the need to sometimes relinquish “control.”

“The flow is always transporting you where you need to go. It is merely a question of deciding whether you plan on accepting the ride or having it take you there with your feet dragging. Learning to step into it can help you feel a connection to a force that is greater than you and is always there to support you,” the Daily Om says.

Meanwhile, visitors can also participate in traditional Good Friday practices through Holy Week Online.

Livestream

In cooperation with Quiapo Church, Rappler livestreams the traditional “Seven Last Words” at 12 noon.

Those who want to visit churches for the Stations of the Cross, but cannot due to various reasons, can take part in our virtual Visita Iglesia to 14 Philippine churches, which include the following: 

• San Carlos Borromeo Church, Mahatao, Batanes

• Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church, Baclayon, Bohol

• Santa Monica Church, Sarrat, Ilocos Norte

• Santa Maria Church, Ilocos Sur

• Our Lady of the Assumption Church, Maragondon, Cavite

• St Catherine Church, Carcar, Cebu

• Our Lady of Mt Carmel Church, Barasoain, Malolos, Bulacan

• Immaculate Conception Church, Balayan, Batangas

• St Michael the Archangel Church, Tayabas, Quezon

• San Isidro Labrador Church, Lazi, Siquijor

• San Ildefonso Church, Tanay, Rizal

• San Juan Bautista Church, Tabaco, Albay

• San Pedro de Alcantara Church, Pakil, Laguna

• St Anne’s Church, Molo, Iloilo

Readings by Paterno Esmaquel II are accompanied by music from the Jesuit Music Ministry’s Vespers album series. Others less inclined may just wish to explore the interiors of 14 churches, photos of which were taken by Fung Yu. Another option is to dwell on the stained glass images taken by Hubert Pacheco while listening to the music or the readings.

Feel free to use the multimedia package the way you deem best. Join us in this day regarded by many Catholics as most solemn. – Rappler.com