Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, prefect of the Vatican’s Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, has called on the faithful “to go with Jesus in His journey to Jerusalem,” as Christendom marks the Third Sunday of Lent tomorrow, March 7.
“The Pope’s message for this Lenten Season is an invitation for us to go with Jesus to Jerusalem. He would take this journey only for God, in obedience to God. And by obeying God, He offers His life for others,” Cardinal Tagle said in his Lenten reflection.
The Church leader said this season of Lent is particularly significant for Filipinos as the country celebrates the 500 years of the arrival of Christianity in the Philippines this year.
“For us in the Philippines, this Lenten season is significant. Because this year 2021, we are celebrating the 500th anniversary of the first baptism. So, let us spend this Lenten season in preparing ourselves as baptized Christians. To die with Christ. Baptism is a dying with Christ and also rising to a new life with Christ,” the cardinal said.
Cardinal Tagle encouraged the faithful to renew and strengthen their faith this Lenten season.
Meanwhile, as Catholics mark the Third Sunday of Lent tomorrow, the Church continues to call on the faithful “to examine their conscience, to pray more, and be repentant for sins committed.”
Confessional services in many churches are available while at the same time, strictly implementing the health protocols. The faithful are reminded to refrain from touching, kissing, and wiping the images inside the church as a safety measure against coronavirus disease (COVID-19).