MANILA, Philippines — Walang masama kung gusto ng mga Katoliko na magselebreyt o maging masaya sa panahon ng Mahal na Araw.
“Is it wrong to be happy during Holy Week? Is sadness obligatory during Holy Week? No it is not wrong to be happy during Holy Week. There is no law requiring us to put on a sad face this week,” ayon kay Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas, dating pangulo ng Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).
Ayon sa Obispo, maaari naman aniyang maging maligaya ang lahat ngunit ang naturang kaligayahan ay dapat na maranasan mula sa pagsunod sa tama, na nagpapatunay ng kabanalan, at hindi pagsasayang pisikal lamang tulad nang pagbabakasyon.
Giit pa niya ang kaligayahan ay isang tanda ng kabanalan, na dapat ay alinsunod pa rin sa mga tamang gawain at pagsunod kay Hesus na Siya lamang ang makapagbibigay.
“But we must be happy this week though quite a different one. It is the happiness that proves holiness. It is the happiness that only Jesus can give,” dagdag pa niya.
“Be happy this week. Resist that gloomy sad face. They do not lead to holiness. Be happy but differently happy. Dream big. Obey always. Care much,” aniya pa. “Holiness is happiness. They are twins.