CEBU Archbishop Jose Palma once again asked the Catholic faithful to repent and reflect on God’s mercy and love for mankind, stressing Sunday that Holy Week is not a time for vacation.
Palma led the 7:30 a.m. Palm Sunday Mass at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral. Before the Mass started, Palma and other bishops and priests blessed the palm crosses brought by the faithful. It was followed by a short procession on the way to the cathedral, where the Mass was held.
Palm or Passion Sunday marks the start of Holy Week. It is a way to remember Jesus Christ’s jubilant entry to Jerusalem.
But in his homily, Palma encouraged the people to participate not just on Palm Sunday but in all activities for the Holy Week, which he said is centered on Jesus Christ’s passion, death and resurrection.
“Ang pinakaimportanteng misteryo sa atong pagtuo nasentro diha sa paghalad ni Kristo sa iyang kaugalingon diha sa pagpasakit niya, pagkamatay, hangtod sa pagkabanhaw (The most important mystery of our faith is Christ’s sacrifice for the sake of mankind, His death and resurrection),” said Palma.
“Ang mabinungahon nga pagsaulod niini mao ang makadala kanato ug kinahabuhi nga labing Kristohanon ug mahigugmaon, labi na nga karon Tuig sa Pamilya,” he added.
He asked the people reflect and open their hearts for Christ.
“Christ is knocking on our hearts. Buksan nato sya, aron musulod ang Ginoo. Dawaton nato ang dakong gugma ug kalooy sa Diyos (Let us open our hearts and receive God’s love for us),” he said.
He said following Christ is not a walk in the park. “Siya nagpas-an sa krus, nagsakripisyo (He carried the cross). So if we love, we are willing to sacrifice. Kung kinahanglan isakripisyo, unta buhaton nato (If we need to sacrifice something, let’s do it).”
He also asked the faithful to go to confession this Holy Week and renew our faith.
“Let us also be humble. Duol kita sa sakramento sa confession ug pagbasolan ta ang atong mga sala (Let us go to confession and repent),” Palma said.
The cathedral has scheduled confessions starting Holy Monday, March 21. The schedule is as follows:
(Sunnex)