Welcoming Jesus

Today, Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion, the Church celebrates the procession of Jesus as King. This commemorates the Passion of Jesus for the poor, the oppressed, the needy and sinners who are in need of His mercy and salvation.

As it prepares for the coming national and local elections, let our country, the Philippines, make good use of the time this Holy Week to imitate the selflessness of Jesus who gave Himself up for others. We need to pray for local and national leaders to put priority of those in need than their selfish interests. These leaders can only do their part and have their position when we first and foremost, voters, discern selflessly in order to choose what may be beneficial for many and not only for our own hidden agenda. May we not be carried away by the noise and attraction of campaign strategies like the people who welcomed Jesus in Jerusalem and later on crucified Him. Let us not crucify our own people by becoming blind to ourselves to the truth of genuine and humble service for the nation. Let us not allow our people meaninglessly suffer more with heartless leaders.

This Sunday, dedicated for Alay-Kapwa, is one of the best expression of welcoming Jesus in the needy and the poor. PCP II says, “no one is so poor that he cannot give and no one is so rich that he cannot receive.” In each of our poverty, in our experience of being in the periphery, we must become a people who are ready to walk the extra mile and go out of our comfort zones in order to encounter Jesus in the least of our brothers and sisters.

We adore you O Christ, for by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.