No, those aren't members of the Ku Klux Klan; they're Spanish penitents who, having asked God or Mary to do something on their behalf or seeking some sort of divine favor or forgiveness, are keeping their end of the bargain by serving in the grandiose Holy Week processions.
But the arrival of Christ did not receive the utmost attention. Rather, soon after the giant crucifix passed by our balcony, the music grew louder and crescendoed as the much larger, more ornate and by far heavier statue of the mourning Mary arrived in front of our balcony (so close that we could almost touch it with our fingertips). As one native Córdobes described to B.J., "The Bible says that Mary was the mother of Jesus, so she is obviously more important." At certain points, the penitents stop to rest (the statue of Mary is ginormously heavy), and after their breather we heard the lead penitent urging on his fellow penitents, "We are doing this for the glory of the most high queen of heaven!"
The processions we saw, both in Córdoba and the smaller town of Aguilar, seemed to follow a similar pattern. With horns and drums announcing the arrival of the procession, the penitents soon arrived carrying the statue of the suffering Christ. Some looked on out of tradition, others out of curiousity, and still others who appeared to feel so deep a connection to the ceremony that they dropped rose petals from their balconies to commemorate Christ's death. As evangelicals, we would see the arrival of the suffering Christ as the climax of this procession...
But the arrival of Christ did not receive the utmost attention. Rather, soon after the giant crucifix passed by our balcony, the music grew louder and crescendoed as the much larger, more ornate and by far heavier statue of the mourning Mary arrived in front of our balcony (so close that we could almost touch it with our fingertips). As one native Córdobes described to B.J., "The Bible says that Mary was the mother of Jesus, so she is obviously more important." At certain points, the penitents stop to rest (the statue of Mary is ginormously heavy), and after their breather we heard the lead penitent urging on his fellow penitents, "We are doing this for the glory of the most high queen of heaven!"
Our experience of the processions was priceless and eye-opening. During Semana Santa there is indeed an interest in Christ and spiritual things, but it appears to be short-lived and based on a certain ignorance of Biblical truth. There is a recognition of what Christ did on the cross but a lack of understanding as to why He did it or how it can transform our lives. Instead, Christ's sacrifice and resurrection appear to be overshadowed by how one can receive what he or she wants from Mary, his mother. This is the twisted shadow of Christendom that remains in our new home.
2 comments:
The first pic does look like the Klan! It's exciting to read your accounts as you get settled! You are in our prayers!
Zion Myerstown sends our love and prayers for you both. It is exciting to see your progress and to know how to pray for you.
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