EDITORIAL - Faith will hurdle, outlive obstacles

For the second year in a row Cebu was forced to forego the Fiesta Señor and the Sinulog festivities, activities that not only marked its religious identity but also made it famous across the world.

This is almost unheard of in modern times, but the threat of the rising COVID-19 cases necessitates that we avoid mass gatherings for now. Not to mention the widespread damage brought on by super typhoon Odette left many areas, even in downtown Cebu City, still without water, power, or cellphone service even until now.

Two years without the activities that placed Cebu on the world map can be seen as a big blow to the morale of not just Cebuanos but also those who are devotees to the image of Holy Child across the Philippines and all over the world.

However, we saw how many people did not let the danger of getting the pandemic or the inconvenience of having no water, power, or cellphone service get in the way of their faith.

We saw how people followed the online or live streaming Masses, we saw them going to the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño, we saw them in different cities lining up to see the motorcade of the pilgrim image of the Holy Child. This shows us that the faith and the devotion are still very much alive, even after two years of not being able to practice the usual activities like Masses, visits to the Basilica, and the processions. 

It is comforting to know that despite the hardships people experience, the seemingly endless trials, the perceived unfair hand they are being dealt in life, the faith is still very much alive.

Of course it should be that way. Sometimes it’s actually hardships like these that actually have the opposite effect and strengthen the faith instead of weakening it.

Take heart that one day we will be able to attend Masses at the Basilica again, and walk in the procession of the image, and even party in the streets afterwards.

This loss of utilities is temporary. This pandemic is temporary. Faith and devotion to the Holy Child will outlive obstacles like these.

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