MANILA Apostolic Administrator Bishop Broderick Pabillo on Palm Sunday called on the faithful to spend the Holy Week contemplating injustices in society.
“Sa katahimikan ng buong linggong ito, gamitin natin ito sa malalim na pagninilay, sa taimtim na pagdarasal at sa pagsusuri sa nangyayari sa atin ngayon,” Pabillo said during his homily at the Manila Cathedral.
(During the silence of this week, let us use this time to deepen our contemplation, to make a solemn prayer, and to evaluate what is happening to us right now)
“[B]e disciples with conviction, at hindi nagtatago sa madla kapag andiyan na ang panganib… Manindigan tayo, at hindi dapat lang nagpapadala sa iba.”
Pabillo said injustices happen even amid the Covid-19 pandemic-induced lockdowns, citing the signing of the Anti-Terror Law, extrajudicial killings and the military takeover in Myanmar.
“Mabilis kumilos ang masama, ayaw nilang mabisto ang kanilang ginagawa. Kaya kung ang mga tao ay walang kibo at hindi vigilant, hindi listo, magugulat nalang sila, tapos na ang lahat,” said Pabillo.
The prelate said building conviction could be done through deep reflection to know “who Jesus is for us.”.
Palm Sunday, also known as Passion Sunday, marks the beginning of Holy Week.
On this day, Catholics commemorate the arrival of Jesus Jerusalem, days before he was crucified.
Religious gatherings are prohibited this year in the Greater Manila Area, which has been placed under enhanced community quarantine until April 4, Easter Sunday. S. T. Sadang with reports from Ma. Alena O. Castillo
