THE Archdiocese of Cebu celebrated the feast of Pentecost, which represents the breath of new life, on Sunday, May 31, 2020.
Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, in his homily, said charismatic communities would have celebrated the occasion, but crowd gatherings are currently forbidden to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
Palma said he was still grateful that the faithful were able to participate in the online mass.
He said the true sense of the feast is the birthday of the church and the Holy Spirit giving birth to the church.
“New life is first of all the awareness. Before God, we are sinners therefore new life is first of all the forgiveness of sins,” he said.
The Vatican as well as all the shrines all over the world are praying to stop the virus, which has claimed the lives of many people, he said.
Aside from their deaths, Palma also pointed out the “death of the economy” and the “death of businesses” as governments shut down establishments to contain the disease.
With the feast of the Pentecost, Palma hoped that it could be an assurance that death would not have the final say. He said the Pentecost is the reminder that the faithful must believe in God, who is life.
He talked about the death of Rizalino Raypan, the father of two young priests, Father Alvin and Father Michael.
He said their mother prayed to God that if He would take Rizalino, “take him on the feast of the Pentecost.”
“It really happened. On the eve of the Pentecost, God took away Rizalino,” Palma said.
Palma said the two priests told him, “Papa may be dead before the world, but because we believe in spirit, we believe in God, we know he’s alive with God.”
With this story, Palma believes the outlook of death makes a difference with faith.
“We will survive Covid-19 and we will also revive as a community,” said Palma.
The Pentecost, which is celebrated on the seventh Sunday after Easter Sunday, “commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ while they were in Jerusalem celebrating the Feast of Weeks.” (KFD)