DOMINICAN preachers on Good Friday, April 18, urged Filipinos to find hope in Christ’s passion and in his Seven Last Words before he sacrificed on the Cross.
On the 30th year of the Siete Palabras at Sto. Domingo Church in Quezon City, Dominicans said Christ’s last words reflect the Church’s celebration of the Jubilee Year of Hope this year.
Reflecting on the first of the last words (Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing), was Prior Provincial Fr. Filemon Dela Cruz, Jr., O.P., who said forgiveness can amplify humanity’s hope.
“Kung ganyan sana ang mga tao at ang mga namumuno, marahil, mas madaling mabubuhay ang pag-asa sa ating mundo na punong-puno ng galit,” he said.
For the second of Jesus’ last words (I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise), Fr. Rambang Ngawan, O.P. of the St. Albert the Great Convent in Calamba City, said God’s love is greater than one’s sins and past.
“Huwag natin hayaan ang ating madilim at bulok na nakaraan na magsasabi sa atin kung sino tayo, kung hindi hayaan natin ang pag-ibig ng Diyos na magsabi kung sino tayo,” he said. “Ang kanyang dakilang pag-ibig ay mas dakila pa sa ating mga kasalanan.”
Fr. Ian Melendres, O.P. of the Convent of Our Lady of the Rosary in Manaoag, Pangasinan reflected on the third of Jesus’ last words (Woman, this is your son. Then He said to the disciple: This is your mother), saying Mary is always present to comfort the faithful.
“At napagtanto ko na sa buhay natin, lalong-lalo na ‘pag tayo ay nakadama, nakaranas ng paghihirap na parang tayo ay nakapako sa krus din, ang tugon po sa atin ng Panginoon: ‘Narito ang iyong ina,’” he said.
Sharing his reflection on the fourth of the last words (My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?) was UST Secretary General Fr. Louie Coronel, O.P. He reassured the faithful that God is always present even in moments of silence and suffering.
“Ang katahimikan ng Diyos ay hindi kawalan ng kaniyang presensya. Manalig tayo kahit walang sagot. Magmahal tayo kahit masakit. Magtiwala tayo kahit marami ang bakit,” Coronel said.
“Akala lang natin ang Diyos ay nonchalant. Pero, ang bawat tanong natin ng bakit, sa bawat luha, sa bawat sakit, nandoon ang Panginoon, pag-ibig sa gitna ng mga tanong, pag-asa sa kabila ng panaghoy,” he added.
UST Angelicum College’s Fr. John Stephen Besa, O.P. reflected on the fifth of the last words (I am thirsty), where he urged the faithful to “rehydrate” their spirituality.
“Palagi nating kasama ang Diyos, at palaging bukas ang simbahan sa lahat ng naghahanap ng karamay at kaagapay. Tayo rin pala ay may sari-sariling kwento ng uhaw. Simulan nating lumapit sa Diyos, ang bukal ng biyaya. Simulan natin ang spiritual rehydration,” he said.
Reflecting on the sixth last word (It is finished), former UST treasurer Fr. Tereso Campillo Jr. O.P. of the Sto. Domingo Convent stressed the importance of following God amid chaos and sin.
“Sa harapan ng pagsuway at kasalanan ng tao, nangibabaw ang pagsunod ni Hesus sa utos ng ama,” he said. “Hindi ito tinig ng pagkatalo, ito’y tinig ng tagumpay.”
Fr. Julius de Sagun, O.P., a member of the Priestly Fraternities of St. Dominic from Imus, Cavite, said the seventh and final word (Father, into your hands I commend my spirit) calls upon the faithful to look unto God for their purpose in life.
“If you want to know your purpose, balikan mo ang gumawa sa iyo. At ang bawat tao ay nilikha ng Diyos. Kaya kapag hindi malinaw sa iyo ang purpose mo, kung bakit ka nabubuhay sa mundong ito, ask God. Only God can answer your question,” de Sagun said.
The longest-running Lenten program on Philippine television carried the theme “Krus ni Hesus: Bukal ng Pag-asa.”
It was aired nationwide on GMA Network and Radyo Veritas 846: Ang Radyo ng Simbahan.
Performers in the annual event included the Santo Domingo Male Chorale, Santisimo Rosario Parish Youth Choir, Katrine Sunga, St. Martin de Porres Guild Choir, Sheila Labor, and Fratres. with reports from Frenchshield Shayne G. Delovieres, Marielle F. Pesa and Vince Alfred M. Pillagara
