Palma homily calls attention to drug war, elections

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma used his Easter message Sunday to draw attention to two issues the community faces today – the war on drugs and the upcoming elections.

Palma said he hopes that God’s power, as embodied best by Jesus’ resurrection, will prevail over wrongdoings like the bloody killings and political mudslinging.

Palma said addicts can be reformed and renewed as proven by the number of those who have enrolled and completed their treatment in the spiritual recovery program called Surrender to God (SuGod).

As far as the elections are concerned, Palma reminded the public that the changes they desire lie on their hands and not on the hands of those running for office. The voters, after all, are the ones who will choose their next leaders.

The more important thing, Palma said, is for voters to vote with their conscience and to resist attempts at buying their votes.

During his Easter homily at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, Palma said he hopes that the observance of the penitential Lenten season would bring about change in each person and the communities amid the socio-political problems the province is facing.

He hopes that Catholics welcome the Easter season with a renewed heart, a renewed faith in God, and continued belief that they can overcome problems and trials – personally or as a community – through God's grace.

At the Vatican

Pope Francis has called on believers to live for God, not fleeting things such as wealth or success.

The Pontiff led Catholics in a vigil Mass at the St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican and carved into a candle the number to mark the year 2019 and the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, Alpha and Omega, to signify that God is the beginning and end of all things.

The highest Church official of the Roman Catholic also delivered his homily around the Bible account of the women who went to Jesus’ tomb only to find it empty and the large stone that had sealed it had been cast away.

“God takes away even the hardest stones against which our hopes and expectations crash: death, sin, fear, worldliness,” the pontiff said.

“There is another stone that often seals the heart shut: the stone of sin. Sin seduces; it promises things easy and quick, prosperity and success, but then leaves behind only solitude and death. Sin is looking for life among the dead, for the meaning of life in things that pass away,” he added.

Easter is the most important day in the Roman Catholic calendar, which commemorates the day believers say Jesus rose from the dead. (FREEMAN)