Don’t be swayed by ‘modernized ideas’

CEBU, Philippines- As the Holy Week officially opened yesterday, Palm Sunday, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma stressed that the occasion calls for celebration due to salvation from sins while still being meditative and prayerful.

“Malipay kita kay nasiguro nato ang atong coming over is an experience, makaingon kita, we experienced the love of the Lord, we experience the love of our friends, the love of our family, the love of the church,” Palma addressed the close to 4,000 youth.

Palma held his Palm Sunday mass at the second and closing day of the Local World Youth Day held at the University of Southern Philippines Foundation grounds.

 “Ang atong pagdala niini (palm leaves) magpahinumdum in our hearts we proclaim Jesus as the son of God. Ug sundan nato lain-laing buluhaton sa Kwaresma. But for today, with the blessing of the palms, we know we rejoice with Jesus, we rejoice because we feel His love. We rejoice because aron mahitabo ang gisulti sa gospel, mahitabo ang iyang pagluwas kanatong tanan,” the prelate continued.

He likewise reiterated that of the 52 weeks of the year, only one is dedicated as the Holy Week and that this should be spent in prayer, meditation, and repentance as we are reminded that Jesus suffered and died on the cross to save humanity from sins and was resurrected after three days.

The Local World Day was attended by almost 4,000 youth church workers and representatives from different parishes from all over the province of Cebu.

During yesterday dawn’s Palm Sunday mass, Palma acknowledged the importance of the youth in the spread of Gospel and catechesis.

“Daghang mga buluhaton pagmalandong sa kaimportante sa atong kinabuhi, kaimportante sa inyong mga kabatan-onan, ang ingon sa atong Santo Papa to consider your life as God’s gift and what you can do to make our community, country, simbahan a better place to live in.” he said.

On Saturday evening, the Cebu archbishop held a dialogue with the youth where questions and concerns were raised before the highest local church leader.

Four delegates were given the chance to ask Palma questions and at the same time express their thoughts.

During the said dialogue, Palma reassured the youth that their ideas and concepts are not irrelevant and unimportant, but rather give fresh approach to the teachings and ideals of the church that have been long established.

He even apologized to them if the youth feels neglected and unappreciated.

“Matud pa ni Pope Francis, ‘We should be on guard against the colonization of culture.’ There are people from other parts of the world who also want to impose, to make us accept their own culture. Very subtle ang ilang pag-argue as if tungod kay moderno na ang panahon, dapat mausab na ang atong paglantaw sa reality, dapat musunod na kita sa ilang thinking,” expressed Palma.

The prelate stressed that even with the said modernization, Catholic faithful, particularly the youth, should stick to church teachings and doctrine.

“Think what the teachings of the church are and the context of other cultures that they want to impose. If I teach, it is not just because I want to impose. It is because I believe this is something good before and now and in the future,” Palma further told the youth.

He then asked them to be one with church officials in praying that Pope Francis return to the Philippines to attend the International Eucharistic Congress in 2016.  (FREEMAN)