I’ve wanted to get a picture of this for a while. We drive by this place all the time.
On a main street here in Cuernavaca is this shop where you can have all your spiritual needs met. Are you into witchcraft? Occult? Christianity? It’s all here. On the left you see a little shrine, typical of Mexico, where you can ask for miracles. Next, advertising for tarot card or palm readings and a number of other things guaranteed to bring you luck and success. Finally, a statue of the Mexican Roman Catholic’s favourite, the Virgin of Gaudalupe (Mary).
Syncretism is the mixing of two religions, and it’s no secret that it’s common in Mexico. The problem is, some things can’t mix. The Bible has some very clear statements about witchcraft and fortune telling. What in the world is this person really trusting in?
Some of you may have heard on the news about the abortion vote in Mexico City. Up until now, abortion all over Mexico was highly restricted. Only a minuscule number of abortions could be performed legally (such as when the mother’s life was in danger). As a matter of fact, in Latin America only two countries allow abortion on demand – Guyana and Cuba.
The new law, which won by a majority on the 24th of April, decriminalizes abortion, and funds killing the unborn baby that is up to 3 months old. It’s only legal in Mexico City, however. Women will nee to prove they are residents in order to have the procedure.
A lot of people are talking about the paradox of Mexico, a highly Roman Catholic country, legalizing abortion. The Roman Catholic Church stands strongly against abortion, but that stand seemed to have little effect on the vote. Mexico City Mayor Marcelo Ebrard said,"I have a lot of respect for issues of faith. … But this is a case where the affairs of state reign."
If your God fits in a little box in a small corner of your life, is He really God? Of course, Ebrard used the ambigious word,"faith".
This was a sad prelude to Children’s Day, a big celebration in Mexico.
Mexico is an increasingly secular country that maintains a Roman Catholic culture. I was talking to a Mexican friend (and pastor), and he felt that the laws would continue to be loosened throughout Mexico, and that more abortions would become legal nationwide.
There are countless problems with the practice of abortion. I question why we can arbitrarily decide when a person becomes human. I question its impact on society. I question why mothers aren’t being taken care of properly, and why they often aren’t told the truth about abortion. I pray that the whole family, from conception to old age, will be cared for by the community and come to know a loving God.
I love Shari, she loves me, it’s our 10th anniversary!
We’re on our way to Taxco de Alarcón for a couple of days (in the Mexican state of Guerrero). Hannah and Nathanael will be enjoying some parent-free time at their friends’ house here in Cuernavaca. It’s been many years since we’ve been to Taxco, so we’re looking forward to visiting again. As a matter of fact, I think this photo was taken in Taxco. Of course, the photo above is Taxco at night (courtesy of pulpolux).
Taxco is a picturesque town of about 51,000 people known for its hundreds of silver shops, ornate cathedrals and narrow hilly streets. Check out the view of Taxco from space here. If you see us, wave.
We don’t have any specific plans – just planning to take it easy and explore. So we’ll talk to you when we return!
Really now – can you think of anything better than baptisms? What a fantastic day, this past Sunday! A celebration of the grace of God. Check it out!
Our church met at the home of our friends, the Casteels. Our pastor performed the baptisms, and we had a guest speaker from our church, Ariel Segura, speaking on Ephesians 2.
One thing that continues to come to mind as I write and learn about culture here in Mexico is how little I actually know and understand. There is so much to learn, it boggles the mind. I’ve tried to seek to learn and not jump to conclusions. Listening and asking questions – that’s my job these days.
Check these photos and posts out – you can leave comments either place. I’d be interested to hear your thoughts.
We learned a lot this year about some things that go on during Holy Week here in Mexico. Here are a few more pictures from the TV coverage here in Mexico.
Take for example these guys. These were for sale all over Mexico – paper maché figures that represent Judas Iscariot (but look generally like devils. In a tradition that is familiar to many other countries as well, the figures are purchased on Good Friday and then BLOWN UP the next day (or Sunday). Kaboom.
Another tradition is the Saturday morning water fight. I think back in the day it had something to do with purification, but generally now it’s just a lot of water and no rules. Ironically enough, not knowing about this tradition, I staged a little water fight in our yard for Hannah and Nathanael. Funny considering my previous experience on March 21st. Do I have a 6th sense for these things, or what?
Of course there’s a lot of ritual in the Roman Catholic Churches.
Bishop of Cuernavaca and the figure of Jesus with the cross
A procession carries the figure of Jesus through the streets of Cuernavaca
In Mexico, what is often called Easter weekend is a time for penance. People will put themselves through some pretty uncomfortable things in order to try to have sins forgiven, to gain favour with God, to help pay for the sin of those who have gone before, or to gain miracles for themselves or their community. This sometimes involves things like processions, crawling on your knees to the church, or walking barefoot on the cobblestone streets. It’s often a public affair, but in some cases faces are covered.
A hooded man going through a ritual. As you can see in the photo below, he is chained and goes barefoot.
Children prepare for a procession
The last few photos are a little more disturbing. These next photos are, I believe, from Taxco. In the TV logo below you can see what you’ll see in the following photos in real life.
One of the more unusual forms of penance in Taxco involves carrying heavy stalks covered in thorns through the streets. Done after a lot of preparation and the support of friends and family, these men walk in agony through the streets trying to purify themselves and their communities of sin. The following two photos show the real thing.
More common throughout the world is the practice of whipping yourself ritually. I purposely chose a "bloodless" picture, but normally after some time of whipping there are two large bloody patches on each person’s back. The whipping alternates from side to side, and like the ritual above is incredibly painful. I won’t say any more.
This all brings us back to the question – what is the cross of Christ really about? What did His death and resurrection accomplish? Many people today still don’t understand what it’s all about. Some of those people are incredibly devoted, others ignore it all together. And yet there are few (if any) questions more important. Please pray for Mexico.
