Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula on Palm Sunday called on Catholics to be compassionate like Jesus Christ and embrace struggles in life with courage.
During a Eucharistic celebration at the Manila Cathedral, Advincula said one of the weaknesses of humanity is rejecting one’s pain, but embracing it can lead to learning to become a better person.
“Sa huli, kailangan natin magkaroon ng tapang upang harapin ang atin mga suliranin. Danasin ang ating mga hirap at yakapin ang ating krus. Kelangan magpasiya tayong damahin ang sakit at makiramay sa sakit ng iba,” Advincula said during his homily.
(In the end, we need to be courageous in facing our problems. We must bear our suffering and embrace our cross. We must feel the pain and sympathize with the pain of others.)
“Kapag ang sugat ay tinatago at tinatanggi, hindi ito gagaling. Lalala ito. Kung papansinin natin ang sakit, kung titingnan at pakikinggan ito, magugulat tayo sa mga aral na maari nating matutunan. Tayo ay magiging mabuting tao,” he added.
(When we deny and hide our wounds, they will not heal; they will get worse. If we pay attention to the pain, if we look at it and listen to it, we will be surprised at the lessons we can learn. We will become better people.)
Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, which commemorates the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The waving of the traditional palaspas or palm fronds commemorates the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ to Jerusalem.
Advincula said it would be meaningless if Jesus Christ’s sacrifice did not translate to compassion in these current times.
“Ang ginawang pagbabanal ni Hesus sa kanyang pagdusa ay siyang nagbibigay sa atin ng pag-asa sa gitna ng karahasan tila walang dahilan,” Advicula said.
(The sanctification Jesus brought through his suffering gives us hope amid the seemingly unjustified violence.)
“Minsan ang atin mga sakit ay hindi na maipaliwanag, hindi masukat, hindi maunawaan. Ngunit, kahit na tila wala ng kabuluhan o kahulugan ang sakit, walang hirap na hindi kayang abutin ng pagibig. Walang pasakit na higit sa malasakit,” he added.
(Sometimes, our pains are unreasonable, immeasurable, and incomprehensible. But, even if the pain seems meaningless, there is no hardship that love cannot overcome. There is no pain greater than compassion.)
Earlier this week, the Archdiocese of Manila released this year’s copy of the Holy Week and Easter Triduum rites. —RF, GMA Integrated News
