"Displays of extreme physical suffering won’t impress God"

This from the Filipino bishops, who see a touch of Spanish excess sometimes in Holy Week. Like "self-flagellation and crucifixion". 

On the other hand, they also say that visiting seven to 14 different churches on Holy Thursday can sometimes be too much fun. (What's a barkada? Never mind, there are any number of people I can ask.)

No, displays won't impress Someone who can see everything. But in the West, we go too far in the other direction. "God doesn't care if I give up my afternoon snack in Lent. What difference does it make?" Sometimes it seems as if there's no reason to deny yourself anything -- and then you're about to break the First Commandment.