Today, our country and many other nations around the world are celebrating the Halloween again. For Catholics, Halloween is the eve of the feast of “All Saints’ Day which is observed every November 1. The word “Halloween” was derived from “hallow” which means to make holy or to consecrate.
Initially, Halloween was conceived in western countries for children to have fun. Hence the Halloween game called “trick or treat” was conceived when children can wear their spooky costumes and ornaments and travel to different houses or offices to ask for candies and other sweet treats. Nowadays, Halloween is being observed by people from all walks of life, young and old, rich or poor to spread cheers. Halloween parties are everywhere and houses, offices and commercial establishments are decorated with spooky and scary ornaments.
Halloween is also the time when you don’t feel sheepish disclosing personal encounters with the supernatural or swapping ghost stories. Yup, people still believe in ghosts even during this age of the internet and global warming. And Filipinos love ghost stories. Perhaps, the belief in ghosts and the supernatural was spawned by the idea that there’s life after death and that we would eventually be reunited with our departed loved ones.
I’ve heard so many ghost stories before, some were even absurd. Some claim that they saw ghosts or white ladies. I also heard people telling stories that they saw a person when in fact that person just died a few kilometers away.
But I never had any personal encounters with ghosts. They say that you need to have your third eye opened for you to be able to see ghosts but I don’t know if it’s for real.
Well, I am hoping that with all the fun and festivities going on during the Halloween we still can remember to pray for our loved ones. We can also use this time to contemplate and to thank the Lord for all the blessings that we have received.
Our family is also celebrating the 75th birthday of my father today. Yep, while the rest of the world is commemorating Halloween, our family is celebrating our father's birthday. There's every reason to celebrate as my father has reached this milestone in his life and he is blessed with good health, a healthy body and a sound mind. Not everybody is given the privilege to celebrate his or her 75th year on this earth so for this we are full of gratitude.
Happy birthday, Tatay!!!
Read more...
