Ash Wednesday reminder: Repent, trust God’s words
CEBU, Philippines - Yesterday, Ash Wednesday, was the first day of Lent, and the faithful are reminded to repent and to believe God’s words and commandments.
“Ang panahon sa kwaresma, sugdan gayud kini sa Miyerkules sa Badlis, ritwal nga nagpahinumdum sa tawo sa pagbasol ug pagtuo sa Maayong Balita,” said Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma.
“Ang panahon sa kwaresma mao ang higayon sa pagpamalandong sa dakong gugma sa Diyos ug panahon nga diin tungod sa gugma kinahanglang buksan ang atong kasing-kasing,” he said in his homily.
Christians, particularly Catholics, join church service on Ash Wednesday to have their foreheads marked with a cross by the priest using the ashes of palms used during Palm Sunday the previous Lent.
The ritual is a symbolism that “we come from dust and to dust we shall return.”
Palma said Filipinos should be proud when compared to citizens of richer nations because they continue to believe that Christ is alive after sacrificing his life to pay for the sins of the world.
He said that while Catholics fast and ponder upon their sins, they should also do acts of mercy this Lent.
“Samtang magpuasa ug maghinulsol ang katawhan, mopahigayon usab unta sila og mga buhat sa kaluoy ilabi na ngadto sa mga tawo nga nagkinahanglan karon mga panahona,” Palma said.
He also reminded that the Holy Week does not end in the death of Christ; it also demands that the faithful meditate on His sacrifice, death, and resurrection. — (FREEMAN)
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