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Anne Falk

Sweden and Philippines Differ in Focus on a Common Christian Celebration

“Glad Påsk!”

For a week now, I have heard for a couple of times people greeting each other: ““Glad Påsk!” (“Happy Easter!”) I was a bit surprised with the exchange of greetings when for me it was yet too early because before the Resurrection day, Christ’s death will still be commemorated on Good Friday.

Minolta DSCIn comparison to my home country (Philippines), people don’t say “Happy Easter” when it is not yet Easter but instead, I would hear them exchange the greeting:  “Have a blessed Holy Week!”

Through the exchange of greetings, I have made some reflections on why the two nations differ in focus on this same Christian celebration.

It is a given fact that Filipinos rejoice in Christ’s resurrection but most of the populace gives more emphasis on Christ’s passion because they can relate about His suffering and death.

As of the present, the Philippines suffers from the pains of poverty with a huge gap between the poor and the rich, held captive by foreign influences especially in the government along with the injustices and corruption thriving in every corner of the society.

In what way did I prove that Filipinos are more focused on Christ’s passion? Over the past years since I started working voluntarily in church, I have seen the unusual bulk of the crowd attending the Good Friday procession and services in my home parish and that is also true in most Catholic tradition churches all over the Philippines.Blog photo2

On the other hand, it is not surprising why Swedes focus on Easter because, compared to Filipinos; they live a quite comfortable, free and happy life.

In Sweden, every citizen is given due benefits, taken from their taxes, from womb to tomb. These benefits include: free education from age one until a person is six feet under and free medical treatment covered by the government with a certain annual budget for each person.

Blog photoThe Swedish society can feel more the joy of the resurrection than relate to His passion because most of them do not live in poverty or experience catastrophes like earthquakes and killer typhoons unlike most Filipinos.

Equality is seen in the Swedish society and those who earn less are given importance by the government by providing opportunities and financial assistance if needed. People, especially children, are valued from the day they are born and education is free in all levels. (Tuition fee in universities is free but books are to be bought. But each student is given allowance by the government and there are student loans often offered.)

Added to that, parents need not to worry about their kids when they are in school because food if provided. In this society, I can really see the abundance which often some young people take for granted.

In the Philippines, many children cannot attend school because they don’t have food to eat for lunch and they don’t have resources to buy materials. In far-flung areas, children walk several miles barefooted in order to reach the nearest school not to mention the hills and rivers they need to pass through along the way.

So, the Filipinos’ focus on Christ’s suffering and death might contradict to what the church teaches that Easter is the central feast during the Holy Week. But I could not blame my fellow countrymen who focus on the Christ scourged, beaten, crowned with thorns, carrying a heavy cross, forced to drink a bitter drink, mocked and put to death like a criminal, because most of them feel like what Christ had been through everyday.Blog Photo 3

During this festive event, I see Swedes celebrate Easter with symbols such as: Påsklilja (Easter Lily), Påskägget (Easter egg) and Påskris (Easter twigs with colorful feathers) with parties serving lamb meat, meatballs and food in line with tradition while Filipinos on the contrary, celebrate the feast of Christ’s resurrection in their everyday life.

Yes, Filipinos celebrate Easter in an unintentional and unnoticed way, every time they rise from a calamity with a beaming hope coming from the Risen Christ. Every time they succumb to earthquakes and typhoons, they celebrate new life given by Christ. Through the priceless smiles and the remarkable courage, they continue to walk and strive for a better life despite the tragic incidents that come their way.

Although there are differences in focus, I still see Christ as the common ground of the celebrations here in Sweden and in the Philippines. During this Holy Week, I am glad to see how Christianity’s central feast is held on this side of the world.

“Glad Påsk Sverige!” (Happy Easter Sweden!) and “Maligayang Pasko ng Pagkabuhay mahal kong Pilipinas!” (Happy Easter my dear Philippines!)

//Klein F. Emperado is one of the exchange students in the exchange programme ”Young in the World Wide Chuch” 2014. During three months he will be spending time in Sweden, sharing life, faith and every day life. Klein is a Mass Communications graduate from Silliman University, Dumaguete, Philippines and also he works as Editorial Assistant for the said university. In the exchange he represents the Philippine Independent Church/Iglesia Filipina Independiente. His line of ministry is focused mainly on Liturgy and Music for the Diocese of Negros Oriental and Siquijor.

// Klein F. Emperado är en av deltagarna i utbytesprogrammet Ung i den världsvida kyrkan 2014. Under tre månader delar han vardag, tro och liv med människor här i Sverige. Under sin första månad spenderar han tid i St Mikaels församling i Stockholms stift. Klein har tagit examen i masskommunikation vid Silliman University, Dumaguete, Filippinerna och han jobbar idag som redaktörsassistent för nämnda universitet. I utbytesprogrammet representerar han den Filippinska oberoende kyrkan (Iglesia Filipina Independiente). Hans stora intresse och inriktning innom kyrkan är främst liturgi och musik för stiftet i Negros Oriental och Siquijor.

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