Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 9) — Palm Sunday marks the start of the Holy Week and the Catholic Church reminds its followers to remember the passion, death, and resurrection of Christ.
In Manila Cathedral, Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle led Palm Sunday rites.
During the homily, Tagle called on devout Catholics to know and accept the real Jesus Christ, not just the Son of God but also the one who was ridiculed during his Passion.
Tagle says Christ remained meek even if he was misjudged and scorned.
“Ang pagtanggap sa tunay na Hesus ay pagtanggap sa kanyang presensya sa mga dukha, sa mga dinuduraan ng lipunan, sa mga iniinsulto sa ating mundo, sa mga taong tahimik lamang kahit sila’y sinasampal. Pero sila’y may dangal dahil at ang Diyos ang may batid ng katotohanan,” he said.
[Translation: To accept the real Christ is to accept his presence in the poor, those whom society spits on, those being insulted in the world, the quiet ones even if they’re being slapped. But they have dignity because the Lord knows the truth.]
Palm Sunday ushers in the Holy Week, and during the Holy Week, the Catholic Church remembers the passion, death, and resurrection of Christ.
It is also a week for penance and fasting – forms of sacrifices to commemorate Christ’s divine love for humanity.
During Palm Sunday masses, the church also prayed for justice for the victims of unresolved cases and for speedy and fair court rulings.
The Catholic Church has been critical of the killings under the Duterte administration.
