The Easter Season: Golgotha

     The most noble words in the history of humanity are "Father, forgive them..." Palmeira is a small town in the interior of Sao Paulo which boasts that it has the largest (open-air) theater in the world. This year it was the scene of a spectacular Passion Play. The part of Jesus was played by a well-known young actor, the idol of young women who came in huge numbers and squealed admiringly as the drama unfolded. The crucifixion was simply the central theme of a carnival-style ballet, with women doing their carnival thing. Lots of fun in comparison with the sombre drama played in many Mexican towns. Brazil is not Mexico. When asked, the Bishop of Palmeira looked sad, as though saying to himself: "Father, forgive them..."
     Brazil reaches the acme of nationalism in a popular saying "Deus è brasileiro", "God is a Brazilian." That same day, referring to the crime wave which sweeps across Brazil, a TV commentator put things straight, saying sadly "God is not Brazilian." For the same reason, Mexicans could say that He was not Mexican either.

Ronald Hilton - 4/25/00