Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma leads a procession at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral while a priest blesses the palm fronds of the faithful at the Basilica del Sto. Niño. In Manila, Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle blesses the palm fronds of the faithful at the Manila Cathedral.
The Holy Week observance should be used not only for vacation but for contemplation and repentance of sins by Christians, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma told the Catholic faithful in yesterday’s Palm Sunday commemoration.
With palm leaves in hand, hundreds of devotees flocked to the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral to attend Palm Sunday Mass officiated by Palma who called on them to deepen their faith in order to realize His love for them.
He called on the faithful to ask themselves what kind of people they are before Jesus and whether they would welcome Him to their hearts or ignore Him like the masses who called for His crucifixion.
“There are others like Pontius Pilate, who washed his hands off responsibility for the crucifixion of Jesus or the apostles who fell asleep while Jesus prayed. Or like Judas Iscariot, who was only interested in money,” Palma said.
Palma again urged the faithful to join the Holy Week program of activities and open their hearts so they can receive God’s grace. He also lamented the spate of killings in Cebu and prayed that peace will prevail.
“The war on drugs went out of bounds and we are unhappy with this development. Bisan pa, karon panahona gidala ni Kristo ang iyang pasaylo ug ang iyang gugma (Despite this, in this time Jesus brought His forgiveness and love),” Palma said.