Renewal. Archbishop Jose Palma led the traditional blessing of the palm fronds brought by churchgoers. Palm Sunday signals the start of the Holy Week.
Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma is hopeful Cebuanos will find renewal of faith and receive the grace of God during the Holy Week where the mysteries of faith, sorrow, death and resurrection of the Lord is being highlighted.
Palma who concelebrated the Palm Sunday Mass in Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral reminded the people that the Holy Week is not a time for vacation or partying at the beach. It is a time for thanksgiving and meditation, and participating in various church activities.
He lead the blessing of palm fronds brought by the faithful the Mass.
In his homily, Palma reiterated the value of Palm Sunday as a commemoration of the arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem where joyfully shouting people welcomed the triumphant entry of Jesus, much in the same way as they would greet a conquering monarch.
“Ang iyang pagkahari nagdako dili sa pagpatay sa iyang mga kaaway, Ang pagkahari ni Hesus, magpakamatay siya alang kanato,” said Palma.
Sa iyahang paghatag sa iyahang kaugalingon, unta sa umaabot nga International Eucharistic Congress, mapakita nato ang pagtoo…
Mao kini ang atong mapaambit sa tanang tawo sa kalibutan,” said Palma.
(By sacrificing himself, we are hopeful that come the International Eucharistic Congress, we can show our faith… This is what we can share to the people around the world.)
Holy Week also highlights the significance of prayer in thanking the Lord for everything and taking a pause from work, said Palma.
“Unta hatagan natog panahon ang paghandum sa pulong sa Ginoo… Sa pagkamatay sa atong Ginoo sa krus, hinungdan sa bag-ong kinabuhi og grasya,” he said. That meditation should not end on Black Saturday but should extend to Easter Sunday.
(I hope we give time to contemplate on the words of God… The death of Christ on the Cross has resulted in renewed life and grace.)
Palma once again called on the faithful to serve others.
“Magpakabana ug manginlabot, Tungod kay gihigugma kita sa Diyos ug gipasaylo kita sa Diyos tungod kay gihatagan kita sa grasya, mahimo unta ta nga instrumento sa kaigsoonay,” said Palma.
(Be aware and get involved. Because we love God, he has forgiven us and we have been given grace, we should be instruments for the brotherhood of all.)
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