Faith or stupidity?

The Philippines is full of traditions and practices.  In the family, Holy week is a time of family get together in the ancestral house.  We spend sleepless nights enjoying the Bisita Iglesia (church visits).  We can walk 10 long kilometers without being tired.  We stop at each church and sing the Passion of Christ.  We fearfully watch people who practice penitence, carrying of the cross, the Nazarene, people scourging themselves.

   And when we know that somebody has done that he may be treated with respect because they are sinful people who are sorry for what they did and they want their sins washed so they share the passion of Christ.
It was so unfortunate that youngsters nowadays are doing just it to show their macho image.  They do not "know" what they are doing.  They want to prove to the audience that they can do it as well and they are brave.  Before when a penitent is passing by, we keep quiet.  We were made to believe that if we talk about the person, his sins will be transferred to us.  Very Filipino! Now, people make a fool out of them, because we know they just make fools out of themselves.  No respect at all!  Except for a chosen few whom we know who still have faith and are doing it for a reason.  Why no respect?  Simple stupidity!  After they pass by carrying the cross or hurt themselves through scourging, we find them drinking alcohol and making trouble.  We even saw some kids who were walking along the street with their costumes on and smoking, shouting and laughing.   They never thought (or never knew) that Jesus was not like this in his time.  He did not do it to show off!

It is seldom that we see people carrying the cross, because I believe it is harder than scourging.  Scourging is done when the back is numb, while walking all they feel is the heat.  They cannot make their body numb when they are carrying a cross.  Do I have point?  I believe I have!
This is one of the reasons why the Philippines is still a developing country.  When will people realize that it is up to them if they will succeed in life?
Have a marvelous life!