WORD ALIVE
Palm Sunday is called “Domingo de Ramos” or Mahal na Araw. It’s the start of Holy Week, in local parlance, “Mahal na Araw.” “Mahal” does not mean nag-mahal ang halaga ng gasolina at mga bilihin. (‘Mahal’ does not mean the price of gasoline and commodities rose up!).
“Mahal na Araw” literally means a “costly day” and in church parlance, it signifies God saving us at a very costly price. Jesus suffered and died to redeem us from sin and death.
Salvation was achieved.
Palm Sunday ushers the start of Holy Week. It commemorates the Passion (intense suffering) and Death of our Lord with an eye on the happy ending of his Resurrection.
We will be inspired by the long processions, the Last Supper Mass, Visita Iglesia, Siete Palabras, Veneration of the Cross and other activities, but let us remember that these are meant not to be seen primarily but to be “lived.”
We should not be merely passive spectators but active participants.
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The cross we carry may be a financial problem, a nagging or lingering illness, the inconveniences and anguish of relatives taking care of a paralyzed son or a bedridden grandfather, a son hooked on drugs
It may mean, too, the monotony and drudgery of a housewife and the poignant loneliness of a solo parent. The list of human sufferings is endless.
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There was a couple I knew who broke up and lived separately for more than 10 years. But after all those years living with another woman, the man suffered remorse and returned to his original family. The turning point was when he was diagnosed with an advanced pancreatic cancer.
Fortunately, the wife took back the contrite husband, taking care of him patiently until he died not too long afterwards. It was his sickness and remorse that led to his reconciliation. However, it was the wife’s compassion and acceptance that proved to be the husband’s redemptive means.
It is in such moments that we participate in the Passion of Christ which gives us hope.
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On the brighter side, Palm Sunday is not the last word of the Jesus’ story. Rather, it is only the first word of a Holy Week that will reach its climax on Easter Sunday.
So, it is with life. It will not end on a dismal note, but on the joyful rising from spiritual death. What’s called for is that we hold on in faith as Jesus did.
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“Donkey.” When Jesus made his triumphal entry to Jerusalem, he rode on a lowly donkey or an ass. As the Jews waved palm branches and shouted “Hosanna,” the donkey thought the crowd’s wild adulations were for him. So, he kept nodding his head.
Aren’t we much the same at times? When we have talents, titles and positions, pride gets into our head. We think we owe it all to ourselves, totally forgetful of the giver?
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‘7 Last Words.’ The SVD Mission Communications Foundation will be telecast on ABS-CBN or Kapamilya Channel the “7 Last Words” on Good Friday, April 18 at 12 noon-3 p.m. Join us at the Divine Word Shrine in Christ the King Seminary, E. Rodriguez Blvd., QC. It will be shown live.
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Also, we sent out solicitation letters for advertisement placements and donations for the TV program. May we hear from you? (Email: belsvd@gmail.com)