CEBU Archbishop Jose Palma called on the Catholic faithful to reflect on God's love to mankind and value life as he led the Palm Sunday celebration, which marks the beginning of the Holy Week.
Before the Holy Mass, Palma, other bishops and priests blessed the palm crosses brought by the faithful at 7:30 a.m. in front of the Our Lady of Lourdes grotto.
The archbishop led the 8 a.m. Palm Sunday Mass at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral.
In his homily, Palma told the people that Jesus Christ died on the cross because of His love for mankind.
"If Jesus died for us, we should live for Jesus. May we find new life. Gipatay si Kristo bayad sa atong mga sala ug tungod kay kita nahugasan sa atong mga sala, unta atong pasalamatan ang Diyos sa bag-ong kinabuhi nga gidala ni Kristo. May we live for Jesus. May we live for love, because Jesus died for us. May we value life," he said.
Palma also talked about the country's current issues, death penalty and extrajudicial killings.
"Ang may sakit, angayng' ayuhon. Ang kriminal angayng' prisohon. Ngano mang 7,000 people have to die tungod kay gitawag silang sagbot sa sosyedad," he said.
"To believe in the value of life is to do something about any situation. Bisan pa kita dagha'g sayop, we always deserve a second chance," he added.
Palma ended his homily by encouraging everyone to thank the Lord by showing how they value life.
He also thanked various institutions in the Cebu Archdiocese that helped the needy in the society in terms of scholarship programs, medical missions, and other services.
Below is the cathedral's schedule of activities starting Holy Monday.
Holy Monday (April 10)
Confessions - 10 a.m. to 12 noon and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Lenten Recollection with Rev. Fr. Jonathan Rubin - 8:00 p.m.
Holy Tuesday (April 11)
Confessions - 10 a.m. to 12 noon
Mass - 4 p.m.
Procession of the Pasos and Stations of the Cross - 5 p.m.
Holy Wednesday (April 12)
Confessions - 10 a.m. to 12 noon; 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Taize Prayer - 8:00 p.m.
Holy Thursday (April 13)
Tenebrae with Archbishop Palma - 7:00 a.m.
Confessions - 9 a.m. to 12 noon, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., and 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Mass of the Lord's Last Supper with Archbishop Palma - 4:00 p.m.
Visita Iglesia - 7:00 p.m.
Good Friday (April 14)
Tenebrae with Archbishop Palma - 7:00 a.m.
Confessions – 9 a.m. to 12 noon and 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Siete Palabras - 12 noon to 3:00 p.m.
Celebration of the Lord's Passion & Veneration of the Cross with Archbishop Palma - 3:00 p.m.
Procession of the Santo Entierro - 5:00 p.m.
Via Matris Procession - 8:00 p.m.
Black Saturday (April 15)
Tenebrae with Archbishop Palma - 7:00 a.m.
Easter Vigil Mass & Blessing of the New Fire & Water with Archbishop Palma - 8:00 p.m.
Easter Sunday (April 16)
Procession of the Risen Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary - 4:00 a.m.
Sugat at the Plaza - 4:30 a.m.
Easter Mass with Archbishop Palma - 5:00 a.m.
(SunStarPhilippines)