As Christendom marks the Second Sunday of Lent Sunday, Feb. 28, a Catholic Church leader encouraged the faithful to work on renewing their faith in the face of the pandemic.
Ozamis Archbishop Martin Jumoad said the COVID-19 health crisis as well as the many trials faced by Filipinos is “an invitation to return to the Lord. The pandemic enables us to take part in the sacrifices and hardships undergone by Jesus Christ for 40 days,” Jumoad said over Radio Veritas.
The 40-day season of Lent began last Feb. 17, Ash Wednesday.
“This pandemic is a signal for all of us to go nearer to the Lord. Every pain and sorrow must be interpreted as an occasion for us to repent our sins,” the archbishop stressed.
The Church leader called on the faithful to look beyond the pandemic.
“We must look forward to the joy of being freed from this pandemic. Meantime, we should be willing and open to help those in need, those who were badly affected by this crisis,” Jumoad said.
Meanwhile, Catholic Church officials continue to encourage the faithful “to examine their conscience, to repent of any sin, and to observe the Sacrament of Penance” as the observance of the Holy Week nears.
The confessional will be open for longer hours tomorrow, the Second Sunday of Lent, to enable more churchgoers to go to confession. Catholics are also reminded to observe the three tenets of the observance of the Lenten season: almsgiving, prayer, and fasting as forms of sacrifices and in accordance with Pope Francis’ call for Christians to observe “mercy and compassion” towards others.
The Filipino faithful are also encouraged to support the Church’s Lenten feeding program, Fast2Feed or to donate whatever amount was saved from fasting to the Church’s charity program for malnourished children.