Feb. 19, 2015, 3:30 p.m. – FOLLOWING  the recent
Mamasapano massacre, Thomasians were urged to seek the path of repentance
especially in times of sinfulness and violence.

In his homily during Ash Wednesday Mass that started the
Lenten Season, Vice Rector for Religious Affairs Fr. Filemon Dela Cruz, O.P.
said the killing of members of the Philippine National Police Special Action
Force (SAF) during a clash with Muslim rebels in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last
month was  proof of man’s weakness toward
sin.

“We know that we live in a very fragile and violent world.
We are asked to pray that our hearts may be like the heart of Jesus,” Dela Cruz
told Mass attendees at Plaza Mayor. “Do something that could benefit other
people so we could be in solidarity with people who were forgotten.”

Dela Cruz reminded Thomasians that the imposition of ashes
during Ash Wedsnesday highlights the importance of turning away from sin and
embracing the Gospel to have new life.

“This Lenten season provides us the ashes, which are very
powerful symbols of the human condition. It reminds us of our own mortality and
weakness,” Dela Cruz said. “From dust comes life because of God and that is
what we seek.”

To avoid sin, Dela Cruz said that Christians must resist the
voice of temptation and follow the path to grace. “God reminds us that there
are voices that lead to temptation and the path to grace,” he said.

Holy Mass was followed by the offering of flowers, candles
and prayers for the fallen members of the SAF or the “Fallen 44.”

READ
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This year’s Ash Wednesday Mass was concelebrated by UST
Rector Fr. Herminio Dagohoy and Vice Rector Fr. Richard Ang. Marie
Danielle L. Macalino

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