EASTER: Freedom from bondage
Most activities, religious or otherwise, which are organised in Malta and Gozo around Easter and in relation to it have become largely folkloristic. This should not be surprising since practically all routine religious activities the year round have become so. They are either observed as part of a fixed calendar which is taken to wield some sort of habitual obligation, or hanged on to in a spiritualistic, nostalgic or sentimental manner. In both cases, they are depleted of their authentic religious significance (which, basically, is a personal relationship with God), and mainly retained for their conventional or mythical value. Of course, traditionalisms, customs and lores definitely have their distinct social, political and psychological worth. This is to be appreciated and prized. Nevertheless, from a strictly ecclesial point of view, they are insufficient and positively inadequate. If truth be told, buoyed by his personal qualities and genuine spirituality, Archbishop Cremona ...