Palma urges youth to “serve others”

CEBU, Philippines — Young people should put their gifts at the “service” of others.

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma leaves this challenge to the younger generation as the Philippine Catholic Church launched yesterday the Year of the Youth.

Speaking before a huge crowd at Fuente Osmeña Circle, Palma’s sermon reflected on the theme of the upcoming celebration, "Filipino Youth in Mission: Beloved, Gifted, Empowered," relaying a more significant message.

The 68-year-old prelate urged the young individuals to look within themselves of what has been endowed to them by God in the pursuit of fulfilling ones’ mission.

“To the youth, you are reminded to discover the truth of who you are and what you have as you journey to be able to help each other, guide each other and support each other so that your Christian life will grow and prosper,” he said during his eight-minute homily.

He elaborated the meaning of the three underlined words: beloved, gifted, and empowered.

He reminded adolescents that when a stage comes they feel being unwanted and rejected, the person must believe that he or she is “beloved” by God, the One who created the person and granted him or her salvation.

Every young, Palma emphasized, is also blessed with gifts and talents from the Lord, entrusting the person to make use of them to serve others.

And one should not “take for granted” these graces from God, he added, instead youngsters should be empowered to use them wisely.

Moreover, Palma warned the youth of the so-called “inter-generational relationships” that young people look at the old ones as their own competitors.

“As if between the young and the old, there is a competition. No, we are potential allies. We should not compete with each other (rather) we should complete each other to bring about development, peace, and the good of the community,” he said.

Also, he encouraged the young ones to strive to be like the young Visayan martyr and saint Pedro Calungsod “to be holy as well as to be human, to be loving, and to be caring so that one’s life is made a witness to the Kingdom of God.”

Yesterday, the Cebu archdiocese also joined the worldwide celebration of the solemnity of the Christ the King, which is the culmination of the Catholic Church calendar.

With that, the Philippine Catholic Church on Sunday marked the end of the Year of the Clergy and Consecrated Persons, and signaled the start of the Year of the Youth.

The Cebu archdiocesan Commission on the Youth introduced the observance by revealing the logo and the theme song of the year-long event.

Also, one of the highly anticipated events or highlights of the celebration is the National Youth Day that is slated in April 2019 here in Cebu. (FREEMAN)