Archbishop Jose Palma (right) kisses the image of the baby Jesus Christ after celebrating the Christmas eve mass at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral.
(CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)
“It is not just acknowledging the birth of Jesus into the world, but how he became and still is a symbol of hope that has carried the Cebuanos’ faith and the rest of the Filipinos in rising from calamities.”
Archbishop Jose Palma, said this was the special meaning of Christmas this year as he presided over midnight mass at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral.
“Those who walk in darkness will find light. Christ is the light in our continuous journey in getting back to our feet. Though he’s still small as a son of God, in him we receive new light, new strength and new hope,” said Palma in a homily delivered in Cebuano.
“This is to remind us that advocacies like Bangon Cebu, Bangon Samar and Bangon Leyte will not become a reality if God is not with us. Our hope, our faith, and our light most especially our strength comes from him, the God made into flesh,” he said.
He reflected on the strong earthquake that shook Bohol and Cebu on Oct. 15, 2013 and typhoon Yolanda November 8, 2013.
GOOD NEWS
Recalling the Bethlehem story where Mary and Joseph were rejected by the owner of an inn, the archbishop said, “I hope we welcome Jesus in each of our families and hearts.”
In relation to this year’s theme, the Year of the Poor, Palma received the image of the baby Jesus from an ordinary family who brought the image to the altar.
“Thoughout his life, he showed great love to the poor, and remember that whatever you do to the least of my brothers and sisters you do unto me,” said Palma.
“God was made to be human like us to offer himself as our food as source of eternal life, our God who has a great compassion for the poor, who will bring us peace, happiness, strength and light,”said Palma.
The International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) will be held in Cebu on January 2016 with over 15,000 delegates, many of them from other countries.
Palma asked for support and prayers to make the the upcoming religious event a success.
“Ang atong pagpangandam niining Eucharistic Congress mahimong tuburan dugang nga grasya atong pagsayod dakong gugma sa Diyos (Our preparations for the Eucharistic Congress will be made into a spring for more graces in learning more about the love of the Lord),” he said.
He said although there is no Cebuano among the poor selected to join Pope Francis for supper on his visit to Palo, Leyte next month, this is nothing to frown about. Plama said he was attending the Mass officiated by the Pope in the Quirino Grand Stand on Jan. 18 and will bring the prayers of all Cebuanos.