San Pedro Cathedral Good Friday Reflections

This year’s Holy Week is much awaited because after 26 months, we, in the Archdiocese of Davao have resumed face-to-face activities. Among them were the traditional SIETE PALABRAS, GOOD FRIDAY LITURGY and VENERATION OF THE CROSS. Though these activities are least liked because of their afternoon setting, the San Pedro Cathedral was still filled with churchgoers not minding the heat of the scorching sun. Here are a few good reflections worth noting in this Easter Season which we heard from the sharers for the 7 Last words.

FATHER, FORGIVE THEM FOR THEY DO NOT KNOW, WHAT THEY ARE DOING
Sem. Amiel Arado

“To forgive is both human and divine. If God forgives, why can’t I? Forgiveness is more than a feeling. God does not get tired of forgiving but it is us who easily gets tired of asking for forgiveness. We are forgiven to forgive.”

Just like LOVE forgiveness is a decision and a conscious one to let go of past hurts. Indeed Sem. Amiel was too precise on his reflection about forgiveness. I do think that the generation of today has not yet realized how important FORGIVENESS is especially in relationships. If only, they did, then there would be less separations and broken families.

SULTIHAN KO IKAW, KARONG ADLAWA ADTO KA SA PARAISO, UBAN KANAKO
Sr. Shellane Dala, PM

“Ang gisaad nga paraiso ni Hesus, dili lang para kanako, kon dili para sa atong tanan nga mga makasasala, sama sa kawatan nga gihigugma sa Diyos tungod kay siya nag tinguha nga kitang tanan Iyang mga anak, buot muoban Kaniya sa langit”.

There is truth is Sr. Shellane’s reflection that paradise is for everyone especially for sinners. But we do have to realize that though we are sinners, it is a MUST to repent by dying to our sins, so that we can claim life eternal in paradise.

WOMAN, HERE IS YOUR SON, SON HERE IS YOUR MOTHER
Sem. Junel Bustamante

“The yes of Mary to the will of God was the beginning of incarnation, but these are also words that carry the world’s greatest pain. During this moment where Mary stood at the foot of the cross where her son was hanging, the sorrow, like a sharp sword pierced into Mary’s heart. Two hearts met at the vast sea of anguish and sorrow. We too can become equal children of God and like Jesus we have the same origin and He confirmed this when He entrusted us to His own mother. As Jesus said, Through you (Mary) my sonship will be extended to many people. Because of our connection to the Lord Jesus as part of His body we too can be called the fruits of Mary’s womb.”

We have been given the chance to become brothers and sisters, children of God but why do we keep living as if we are not? Are we willing to live as brothers and sisters in Christ as we obey the will of the Father as Mary did and accepted? These questions of Sem. Junel were like series of pinches which awaken us from a deep slumber. We claim to be Christians but we do not seem to live it. We hurt and take advantage of others just to get ahead. What we do, how we live and what motivates us is for THE SELF. Today’s mantra is focused on the self so much that we have forgotten how to live for others.

DIYOS KO, DIYOS KO, NGANONG GIBIYAAN MO AKO?
Bro. Noelvic Deloria, SC

“Bisan ang anak sa Diyos, muagig kasakit aron mapadayag sa Amahan ang iyang gugma. Walay maka tugkad sa kasakit ni Kristo. Angayan kitang silotan sa atong pag daot ug relasyon. Nganong gipaantos ta nga gibuhat man unta nato ang tanan? Gihimo nato ang kabubot-on sa Ginoo. Nganong balusan ug kadaotan ug kasakit ang maayo natong binuhatan ug intension? Mamahimong mag-antos kita niining panahona karon apan dili ika tandi sa himaya nga ipadayag ra unya kanato.”

I know people who do not believe that a God exists. I have heard some, question, if God is a masochist that He allowed His son to be butchered and murdered by ordinary people; that He allows us to experience a great deal of pain so we would know Him best. I cannot answer those questions. But I believe there isn’t any type of suffering that the Lord Jesus has not experienced and because He has gone through it, He would always understand our needs, our plight and that’s what makes Him the perfect GO TO person.

I THIRST
Sem. Soren Abellanosa

“We simply dwell on our physical thirst…but let us remember that spiritual thirst of man that God alone can satisfy. It is in the hands of God that we become truly happy. We give highest regard to things that are worldly.”

Saint Paul says in his letter to the Romans, Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. We live in a time when, if everybody does it, it’s right; which is terribly wrong. It does not mean that if the majority does something wrong, that it becomes correct. I do hope we have the courage to stand through this crisis and always stick to what is right, not to what is popular.

NATAPOS NA
Rev. Fr. Froilem Bonn Barreto, CSSR

“Mas gusto nato pilion ang sayon ug lingaw. Ginalikayan ang pasakit ug pag-antos. Kung buot kamong musunod kanako andam kamong mupas-an sa Krus. Gidapit kita sa pagtan-aw ug pagsusi sa atong mga kaugalingon, sa pagpamalandong mahitungod sa katuyoan ug kahulogan sa atong kinabuhi. Ang Diyos nag imibitar kanato sa pag human sa pag tuman sa misyon nga Iyang gihatag kanato.”

Not many are curious of their existence, not many examine the quality of their lives. But when they do, they realize that it is not about the pleasures of the world but the fullness of the spirit.

FATHER, INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMEND MY SPIRIT
Mr. Eduardo Pacana

By His death He gave life
Jesus understands our pain
By His wounds we are healed

How many of us would be willing what Jesus did? How many of us would die for the sake of those who persecuted us, who disrespected and mocked us? I cannot answer for now, but I do know it would not be easy, I would not say NO but it would definitely take time for me to say YES. But Jesus, He did not hesitate to go through it all, which made us so BLESSED, which made us feel the highest, greatest form of LOVE; which we also take for granted.