"The Christianity of history is not Protestantism. If ever there were a safe truth it is this, and Protestantism has ever felt it so; to be deep in history is to cease to be a Protestant." (-John Henry Newman, An Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine).

"Where the bishop is, there let the people gather; just as where ever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church". -St. Ignatius of Antioch (ca 110 AD)a martyr later thrown to the lions, wrote to a church in Asia Minor. Antioch was also where the term "Christian" was first used.

“But if I should be delayed, you should know how to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth.” 1 Timothy 3:15

"This is the sole Church of Christ, which in the Creed we profess to be one, holy, catholic and apostolic." -CCC 811

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Christmas (Pasko) according to an Iglesia ni Cristo member

Photo Source: Manila Balita
In PRINCIPLE, Iglesia ni Cristo SHOULD NOT be celebrating Christmas or Pasko in Tagalog according to their teachings. But in PRACTICE they do. They enjoyed very much receiving Christmas bonuses, they eagerly accept Christmas gifts, they excitedly exchange Christmas cards, enthusiastically attend Christmas parties, their children do caroling with Catholic children, and they DEFINITELY look forward for another enjoying CHRISTMAS BREAKS with much EAGERNESS.


But this particular comment from Plaridel plainly made me laugh so hard that I almost fell down from where I was seated. Though I find it amazingly unusual thing to display such enormous stupidity, yet it's exceedingly funny. Mr. Plaridel's shameless display of "lack of common sense" is very appalling. He said @ this POST:
The term Pasko does not translate specifically to Christmas. the term pasko is from the Hebrew word "pascha" which means "Passover" which is a derivative for "pasko". So the INC does have "Pasko" but not christmas, pasko means Passover. We do celebrate "pasko" as passover.
Wow, a "Johny-came-lately" 1914 Iglesia ni Cristo sabotaging a TERM which was used by Catholics for centuries now and was celebrated for centuries now?

Mr. Plaridel, PASKO Is a Catholic celebration so we ought to know it by heart. Have you thought of that? Oh, I don't think  you have.

PASCHA, PASCUA, PASKO

The ETYMOLOGICAL meaning of the word PASKO has nothing to do with the Iglesia ni Cristo's deceiving interpretations. I don't care how they want to celebrate the Christmas occasion.  For the information of those English speaking people reading this blog, PASKO is popularly known feast in the Philippines and it's not about the Jewish Passover holidays but it's CHRISTMAS (Pasko ng Pagkabuhay) although appropriately, it's more correct to use the word "Pasko" for "Easter" (Pasko ng Pagkabuhay).

Mr. Plaridel's etymology is INACCURATE and is gravely MISLEADING. If left unchecked, it's DECEIVING-- DECEIVING MANY.

For the record, the word PASCHA is NOT a Hebrew word but it's LATIN. The HEBREW word for Pascha is PASACH (פָּסַח‎) which means "PASSOVER" (Source: Answers.com)

The word PASKO is not originally a Tagalog word.  It was derived from the Spanish word PASCUA which Spain derived it from PASCHA (Latin) which was derived from the Hebrew PASACH-- the Jewish holiday.  The WORD was introduced in the Philippines as either "Felices PASCUAS" or "PASCUA de Natividad" which means "CHRISTMAS" (Source: Tagalog-English Dictionary).

This is how Jews feel when PASACH (Passover) is coming Jews EAGERLY AWAIT for this feast with much anticipation and festivities.  And because Christians do not observe the Passover as it is celebrated by the Jews, the same feeling of joy ANTICIPATED before CHRISTMAS comes is EAGERLY AWAITED the COMING of the MESSIAH on Christmas Day, thus making Christmas a PASCUA de NATIVIDAD-- PASKO ng PAGKABUHAY for Christians.

Celebrating PASSOVER during December is a DEVIATION from the Jewish Passover (as Plaridel is asserting it should be). And its PECULIAR to find cults trying to SABOTAGE CHRISTMAS Celebration by celebrating it with something almost equal with the Jewish "Passover" and CALL it SANTA CENA.

PASSOVER during DECEMBER is UNCOMMON to Jews and Christians.  Iglesia ni Cristo is trying to INTRODUCE their SANTA CENA coinciding with December 25 CHRISTMAS and call it "PASSOVER".  

According to the HEBREW CALENDAR, Passover DO NOT fall during the month of December but mostly between MARCH-APRIL in the Gregorian Calendar (Source: Pascha Holidays) coinciding with the Catholic Church's Holy Week Celebration.  Isn't it CHRIST PASSION started during the Passover Celebration according to the Bible?


Gregorian Civil Year/Hebrew YearGregorian Civil Dates of Passover / PesachGregorian Civil Dates of Passover / Pesach According to the Hebrew Calendar (Pesach / Passover actually begins at sundown on the indicated date)
2004/5764(1) April 6-12
(2) April 6-13
(1) April 5-12
(2) April 5-13
2005/5765(1) April 24-30
(2) April 24-May 1
(1) April 23-30
(2) April 23-May 1
2006/5766(1) April 13-19
(2) April 13-20
(1) April 12-19
(2) April 12-20
2007/5767(1) April 3-9
(2) April 3-10
(1) April 2-9
(2) April 2-10
2008/5768(1) April 20-26
(2) April 20-27
(1) April 19-26
(2) April 19-27
2009/5769(1) April 9-15
(2) April 9-16
(1) April 8-15
(2) April 8-16
2010/5770(1) March 30-April 5
(2) March 30-April 6
(1) March 29-April 5
(2) March 29-April 6
2011/5771(1) April 19-25
(2) April 19-26
(1) April 18-25
(2) April 18-26
2012/5772(1) April 7-13
(2) April 7-14
(1) April 6-13
(2) April 6-14
2013/5773(1) March 26-April 1
(2) March 26-April 2
(1) March 25-April 1
(2) March 25-April 2
2014/5774(1) April 15-21
(2) April 15-22
(1) April 14-21
(2) April 14-22
2015/5775(1) April 4-10
(2) April 4-11
(1) April 3-10
(2) April 3-11
2016/5776(1) April 23-29
(2) April 23-30
(1) April 22-29
(2) April 22-30
2017/5777(1) April 11-17
(2) April 11-18
(1) April 10-17
(2) April 10-18
2018/5778(1) March 31-April 6
(2) March 31-April 7
(1) March 30-April 6
(2) March 30-April 7
2019/5779(1) April 20-26
(2) April 20-27
(1) April 19-26
(2) April 19-27
2020/5780(1) April 9-15
(2) April 9-16
(1) April 8-15
(2) April 8-16
2021/5781(1) March 28-April 3
(2) March 28-April 4
(1) March 27-April 3
(2) March 27-April 4
2022/5782(1) April 16-22
(2) April 16-23
(1) April 15-22
(2) April 15-23
2023/5783(1) April 6-12
(2) April 6-13
(1) April 5-12
(2) April 5-13
2024/5784(1) April 23-29
(2) April 23-30
(1) April 22-29
(2) April 22-30
2025/5785(1) April 13-19
(2) April 13-20
(1) April 12-19
(2) April 12-20
2026/5786(1) April 2-8
(2) April 2-9
(1) April 1-8
(2) April 1-9
2027/5787(1) April 22-28
(2) April 22-29
(1) April 21-28
(2) April 21-29
2028/5788(1) April 11-17
(2) April 11-18
(1) April 10-17
(2) April 10-18
2029/5789(1) March 31-April 6
(2) March 31-April 7
(1) March 30-April 6
(2) March 30-April 7
2030/5790(1) April 18-24
(2) April 18-25
(1) April 17-24
(2) April 17-25
2031/5791(1) April 8-14
(2) April 8-15
(1) April 7-14
(2) April 7-15
2032/5792(1) March 27-April 2
(2) March 27-April 3
(1) March 26-April 2
(2) March 26-April 3
2033/5793(1) April 14-20
(2) April 14-21
(1) April 13-20
(2) April 13-21
2034/5794(1) April 4-10
(2) April 4-11
(1) April 3-10
(2) April 3-11
2035/5795(1) April 24-30
(2) April 24-May 1
(1) April 23-30
(2) April 23-May 1
2036/5796(1) April 12-18
(2) April 12-19
(1) April 11-18
(2) April 11-19
2037/5797(1) March 31-April 6
(2) March 31-April 7
(1) March 30-April 6
(2) March 30-April 7
2038/5798(1) April 20-26
(2) April 20-27
(1) April 19-26
(2) April 19-27
2039/5799(1) April 9-15
(2) April 9-16
(1) April 8-15
(2) April 8-16
2040/5800(1) March 29-April 4
(2) March 29-April 5
(1) March 28-April 4
(2) March 28-April 5
2041/5801(1) April 16-22
(2) April 16-23
(1) April 15-22
(2) April 15-23
2042/5802(1) April 5-11
(2) April 5-12
(1) April 4-11
(2) April 4-12
2043/5803(1) April 25-May 1
(2) April 25-May 2
(1) April 24-May 1
(2) April 24-May 2
2044/5804(1) April 12-18
(2) April 12-19
(1) April 11-18
(2) April 11-19
2045/5805(1) April 2-8
(2) April 2-9
(1) April 1-8
(2) April 1-9
2046/5806(1) April 21-27
(2) April 21-28
(1) April 20-27
(2) April 20-28
2047/5807(1) April 11-17
(2) April 11-18
(1) April 10-17
(2) April 10-18
2048/5808(1) March 29-April 4
(2) March 29-April 5
(1) March 28-April 4
(2) March 28-April 5
2049/5809(1) April 17-23
(2) April 17-24
(1) April 16-23
(2) April 16-24
2050/5810(1) April 7-13
(2) April 7-14
(1) April 6-13
(2) April 6-14

So who would think that this PASUGO publication is all about the JEWISH PASSOVER?  
Who would think that "PAGSILANG NI JESUS" occurred during "PASKO" (Passover) in December?  
Who would think that the Jewish Passover is in December?
Who would think that an Iglesia ni Cristo could influence Jewish and Christian traditions on Passover?
Who would think that Filipino Pasko is the Jewish Passover?

Read again PASUGO Disyembre 1957, p. 28: (written by Emeliano I. Agustin) (Patula). PAGSILANG ni JESUS indicates PASKO (Christmas) and not Passover!
“Ang diwa ng Pasko ay kapayapaan;
Nang mundong naglunoy sa lusak ng Buhay;
Mabuting balita sa kinalulugdan;
Pagsilang ni Jesus sa abang sabsaban."

Perhaps MINISTER EMELIANO I. AGUSTIN wasn't AWARE of this one?

PASUGO Disyembre 1956, p. 34: (sinulat ni Benjamin T. Villalba)
“It strikes people as odd that members of the Church of Christ (Iglesia ni Cristo) do not celebrate Christmas. (ang Iglesia ni Cristo ay tuwirang hindi nagdiriwang ng Pasko ng kapanganakan ni Cristo).”
And instead of accepting defeat, Mr. Plaridel manipulatory swifted the argument with those interpretation of Christmas to Pasko ng kapanganakan ni Cristo?
"That is another mistranslated statement. He aded (sic) some parts to it.See, hes trying to mislead you. he added some words to it. 
"...(ang Iglesia ni Cristo ay tuwirang hindi nagdiriwang ng Pasko ng kapanganakan ni Cristo).”

THe word "pasko" is found in the bible, but it does not mean Christmas, it means passover. So there you go CD2000. You "translated it but you did not do your research on the word "pasko".
I can only respond with smile ^_^

10 comments:

  1. Yes, I Plaridel, apologize for the mistranslation of pascha, But still the catholic Church did deceive you for calling it "Christmas". Pascha Or pasach still does mean passover. It was just made to translate to Christmas at a certain time. So again sorry. im just human. I do not claim to be infallible, i do not claim to be authorized by the INC, i do not claim to have a degree in things biblical, i do not claim perfect unity because i may be wrong. I do not do anything here with authority in the INC. If your talking to me your talking to plaridel alone and no one else. so please, do not generalize anything i say.

    ReplyDelete
  2. And please allow me to add..

    Christmas means Christ Mass...

    Mass for Catholics is the celebration of the Passover, when Christ instituted the Holy Eucharist during the first Mass, the PASSOVER MEAL (Last Supper Meal).

    Therefore, CHRIST MASS or CHRISTMAS is a PASSOVER MEAL for CHRIST the LORD who is born..

    Therefore CHRISTMAS IS REALLY A PASKO!

    ReplyDelete
  3. But you are speaking according to what you know about the Iglesia ni Cristo as you were taught the faith.. and you are expected to have those kaya ka nga humaharap sa mga usaping ito.

    No one is expecting you to be perfect as I do have my own flaws but hey, when it comes to definitions and teachings, we cannot make excuses.

    While I am defending the Church, I am certain that what I am saying is a representing of the Catholic Doctrines as I understood it. And I am certain that what I am saying does not contradict the Catholic teachings which all Catholics around the world believed.

    And when I am in doubt, I can always consult our Catechism to avoid serious error and to maintain ONENESS with the Catholic Church teachings.

    Apologies accepted but please be charitable enough to uphold TRUTH...

    Eh kung di ko pala pinuna eh ganon-ganon na lamang ang panlilinlang na magaganap sa mga nagbabasa ng iyong posts na hindi naman nag-iisip.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. di ba ang pascua ay ang pag handog ng karderong si Jesus Cristo.. so it means kamatayan not kapanganakan...

      Delete
    2. di ba ang pascua ay ang paghahandog sa korederong si Cristo .. so it means ay kamatayan not kapanganakan... at sabi ng isang libro nyo na... naimbento ang Christmass ng isang Romano noong 373.. at hinango ang petsa sa fiesta ng mga pagano .. ang fiesta kung saan pinag diriwang nila ang kapanganakan ng Diyos ng Araw

      Delete
  4. Catholic defender,

    I always read your blog and i must say that it's very informative,respectful while being truthful. All soon to be INC should visit your blog, I doubt that they will go ahead as what they will encounter here would be like a STOP light telling them 'DON'T believe in a legend made up by Felix Manalo a false prophets (the fulfillment of Matthew 24:24).


    Job well done indeed ,God bless.

    God bless you always.

    .

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thank you very much sister Winnie for those nice words. It makes my spirit soar like the wind and his praise be ever on my lips defending His Church, not founded by ordinary man like us.

    God bless you and thanks for saying that I have done my Christian obligation to defend Jesus and his Church. :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. If I remember correctly, Iglesia ni Cristo stopped observing Christmas around 1982. I was 12 at the time, and was somewhat confused by the sudden banning of the holiday. So posting of these pics from 1918, really doesn't help anybody's point. I no longer attend this church, I have seen too many changes and personal reasons have forced me to leave. But I do see members who go to company Christmas parties, and holiday pics taken. Wow am I seeing the hypocrites ni cristo. If Iglesia does not celebrate, than they should not take pics or participate in anything Christmas related.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good point! I too have lots of INC ni Manalo members and they all are talking about Christmas party... surprisingly they knew when Simbang Gabi starts even while they live outside the Philippines.

      Indeed they are the biggest HYPOCRITES!

      Delete
  7. Mabuti na lang ,di EXCLUSIVE sa Catholic Christians ang Christmas bonus, karoling et, al. natalikod daw.e

    ReplyDelete

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