Holy week is time to reflect on sufferings of Filipinos – De Lima

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This Holy Week or Semana Santa, Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has appealed for the Filipino public to reflect on the dire state of the nation and the sufferings of their countrymen, especially those from the poor families, under the present administration.

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. Kaakibat po nito ang pag-anyaya sa atin na pagsisihan ang ating mga kasalanan at patibayin ang ating pananampalataya,” she said.

“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?” she added.

Observed by Catholics across the world, Holy week is a time for solemn prayer and reflections as people remember Christ’s suffering, death and resurrection.

Most commonly known as Semana Santa in the Philippines and other countries, Holy Week is observed from Palm Sunday to Black Saturday, and Easter Sunday

De Lima, a devout Catholic, 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.

“Nawa’y taimtim nating pagnilayan ang ating mga pagpapahalaga at paninindigan sa panahong ito ng nangingibabaw na karahasan, araw-araw na patayan at kawalang katarungan,” she said.

“Ipagdasal po natin ang tagumpay ng mga tapat na pinuno, ang pagpapanagot sa mga tunay na salarin-silang mga nagtatago at mga naghuhugas-kamay sa kanilang kabuktutan-gayundin ang pagkaluklok ng mga lingkod-bayan na totoong maglilingkod nang tapat sa sambayanan.”

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.” De Lima, who remains detained on trumped-up drug charges, is expected to commemorate Holy week inside her detention center in Camp Crame, Quezon City with family members.

Office of Senator Leila de Lima
Rm. 502 & 16 (New Wing 5/F) GSIS Bldg., Financial Center, Diokno Blvd., Pasay City

Trunk Lines:
(632) 552-6601 to 70 local no. 5750

Direct Lines:
807-8489 / (Rm. 16) 807-8580 /local 8619

senleilamdelima@gmail.com

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