Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma called for self-reflection this Holy Week, relating events leading to the suffering and death of Jesus Christ to one’s journey of faith, during the celebration of Palm Sunday on April 13, 2025.
As the faithful remember Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, with the crowd welcoming him by waving palm branches, Palma said perhaps this was the same crowd who initially lauded Jesus later but called for his crucifixion, a sentiment that mirrors the inconsistencies within one’s own faith.
At the mass held at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral in Cebu City, Palma related the biblical account of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem with one’s personal spiritual journey.
“There were times that we, too, in some ways are like those people, who at one point might have sung praises to God and yet at other times left God, insulted him, became His enemy. This is because of our abandonment, because of our sins, because of our actions,” Palma said.
He connected the cries of “Hosanna” by the people who welcomed Jesus with the subsequent demands for Jesus’ death, a shift in public sentiment.
Palma said that this mirrors how individuals themselves can experience fluctuations in their devotion.
“This is the division of sentiments, the change in the dispositions of the people—joyfully welcoming him, and then in anger, some still shouting for his crucifixion,” Palma explained.
“If we reflect, all of us possibly have the same story in our lives. At one point, we are joyfully thanking God and longing for his grace and salvation, but in life’s journey, it’s possible that times of trouble, darkness and various experiences come, like Saint Peter who received the privilege of being with Jesus on Tabor, but then abandoned him, denied him,” he said in a mix of Cebuano and English.
Setting a contemplative tone for the beginning of the Holy Week, Palma concluded with a message of hope by saying, “The hope of Holy Week is the hope that no matter the state of a person, the love of God endures.”
Activities
Catholics mark the start of Holy Week with Palm Sunday, and will continue with activities including masses and confessions from Holy Monday, April 14 to Holy Wednesday, April 16.
On Maundy Thursday, April 17 there will be a Mass of the Last Supper (washing of the feet). Good Friday on April 18 will be a solemn remembrance of Jesus’ crucifixion and death, including a veneration of the cross and procession of the Santo Intierro. There will be an Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday, April 19, a significant liturgy marking the start of Easter with the Service of Light and readings anticipating the Resurrection.
The week will conclude with the joyous celebration of Easter Sunday (April 20), celebrating Jesus’ resurrection. / CDF