Sen. Leila de Lima says Holy Week is time to reflect on sufferings of Filipinos
Published Apr 14, 2019 01:11 pm
By Hannah Torregoza
Opposition Senator Leila de Lima on Sunday appealed to the Filipino public to reflect on the dire state of the nation and the sufferings of their countrymen under the present Duterte administration this Holy Week.
Senator Leila de Lima
(REUTERS / Romeo Ranoco / MANILA BULLETIN) In her Lenten message, De Lima said the solemn occasion is a chance for everyone regardless of religion to ask for the forgiveness of their sins and restore their hopes and drive to fight against anything unjust and oppressive. “Tuwing Semana Santa, ginugunita po natin ang dakilang sakripisyo at pag-ibig ng Panginoon nang ialay niya ang sariling buhay para sagipin ang sanlibutan mula sa kasamaan (During Holy Week, we commemorate the greatest sacrifice and love of our Lord when he gave up his life to save the world from evil),” de Lima said in her latest dispatch. “Kaakibat po nito ang pag-anyaya sa atin na pagsisihan ang ating mga kasalanan at patibayin ang ating pananampalataya, (Part of our invitation is for us to repent of our sins and strengthen our faith),” the detained senator said. A devout Catholic, the senator also asked her fellow Filipinos to pray for the future of the country and its leaders, as well as for the repentance of sinners who are yet to face the consequences of their crimes, this Semana Santa. “Ang hamon at panawagan nga po sa atin ngayon, hindi lamang bilang Katoliko, kundi pati na rin bilang mga Pilipino: Magwawalang kibo na lang ba tayo o maninindigan laban sa walang habas na pagpaslang sa ating mga maralitang kababayan, sa pananakot at pagkakalat ng kasinungalingan para manira ng kapwa, sa pagbalahura sa Simbahan, at higit sa lahat, sa pagbastos sa pangalan ng Panginoong ating Tagapagligtas? (My challenge and call for us this year, not only as a Catholic but as a Filipino: are we going to ignore or are we going to stand up against the killing of our poor constituents, against threats, and the proliferation of fake news that destroy one another, against moves to disrespect the Church and most of all, the brazen attempts to mock the name of our Savior?)” she pointed out. De Lima said she hopes that the Filipinos would take time to contemplate and pray to heal the country from the prevailing violence, killings and lack of justice. By valuing compassion, care and forgiveness, De Lima said, “tunay nating maisasabuhay at kahit paano’y masusuklian ang dakilang aral at pagmamahal ng Diyos nang iligtas Niya tayo at tubusin mula sa kasalanan.”
Senator Leila de Lima(REUTERS / Romeo Ranoco / MANILA BULLETIN) In her Lenten message, De Lima said the solemn occasion is a chance for everyone regardless of religion to ask for the forgiveness of their sins and restore their hopes and drive to fight against anything unjust and oppressive. “Tuwing Semana Santa, ginugunita po natin ang dakilang sakripisyo at pag-ibig ng Panginoon nang ialay niya ang sariling buhay para sagipin ang sanlibutan mula sa kasamaan (During Holy Week, we commemorate the greatest sacrifice and love of our Lord when he gave up his life to save the world from evil),” de Lima said in her latest dispatch. “Kaakibat po nito ang pag-anyaya sa atin na pagsisihan ang ating mga kasalanan at patibayin ang ating pananampalataya, (Part of our invitation is for us to repent of our sins and strengthen our faith),” the detained senator said. A devout Catholic, the senator also asked her fellow Filipinos to pray for the future of the country and its leaders, as well as for the repentance of sinners who are yet to face the consequences of their crimes, this Semana Santa. “Ang hamon at panawagan nga po sa atin ngayon, hindi lamang bilang Katoliko, kundi pati na rin bilang mga Pilipino: Magwawalang kibo na lang ba tayo o maninindigan laban sa walang habas na pagpaslang sa ating mga maralitang kababayan, sa pananakot at pagkakalat ng kasinungalingan para manira ng kapwa, sa pagbalahura sa Simbahan, at higit sa lahat, sa pagbastos sa pangalan ng Panginoong ating Tagapagligtas? (My challenge and call for us this year, not only as a Catholic but as a Filipino: are we going to ignore or are we going to stand up against the killing of our poor constituents, against threats, and the proliferation of fake news that destroy one another, against moves to disrespect the Church and most of all, the brazen attempts to mock the name of our Savior?)” she pointed out. De Lima said she hopes that the Filipinos would take time to contemplate and pray to heal the country from the prevailing violence, killings and lack of justice. By valuing compassion, care and forgiveness, De Lima said, “tunay nating maisasabuhay at kahit paano’y masusuklian ang dakilang aral at pagmamahal ng Diyos nang iligtas Niya tayo at tubusin mula sa kasalanan.”