“We need truth in a time during which truth is being suppressed and falsehood is intentionally being spread. Kaya nandyan ang mga fake news. Kailangan natin ng tapang sa panahon na tayo ay naduduwag dahil sa pandemya at dahil sa pananakot sa atin. Madaling mapagbintangan na komunista, rebelde at drug coddler ang mga komokontra sa pamahalaan. We need unity when people are being divided by self-interest rather than the common good. This is true as the election fever is upon us. Let us be guided by what is good for the country rather than our petty party affiliations and our regionalisms.”
In his homily during the Pentecost Sunday Mass at the St. John Mary Vianney Parish in Makati on May 23, Manila Apostolic Administrator Bishop Broderick Pabillo emphasized the importance of the Holy Spirit and its gifts amidst the difficulties that the nation, as well as the world is experiencing.
“Tungkol saan ba ang fiesta natin ngayon ng Pentekostes? Tungkol ito sa pagbibigay sa atin ng Espiritu Santo, na walang iba kundi ang Espiritu ni Jesus – ang hininga ni Jesus sa atin,” he said. “Ito ay ang Espiritu ng Katotohanan. Ito ay nagdadala ng tapang. Ito ay nagdadala ng pagkakaisa at pagkaunawa sa mga gawa ng Diyos. Ito ay nagbibigay ng kapayapaan sa pamamagitan ng pagpapatawad. We need all these in our time.”
The Bishop also emphasized unity in diversity as one Church as we are bonded by the power of the Holy Spirit.
“Ang simbahan ay tulad ng ating katawan. Ito ay binubuo ng iba’t-ibang bahagi at may iba’t-ibang gampanin. Iba ang kamay kaysa ulo. Iba ang puso kaysa baga. Pero ito ay iisang katawan lang at may iisang buhay lang na dumadaloy sa lahat ng bahagi ng katawan… lahat tayo ay bumubuo ng iisang simbahan. May iisang buhay lang ang nagpapakilos sa ating lahat. Iyan iyong Espiritu Santo,” the Apostolic Administrator said.
The word “Pentecost” comes from a Greek word meaning “fiftieth” and being celebrated by Catholics 50 days after the death and resurrection of Jesus.
It is also considered the birthday of the Catholic Church. It was during Pentecost that the Apostles started fulfilling the mandate of the Church of preaching the Good News after receiving the gifts of the Holy Spirit. (Lem Leal Santiago/Binondo Church)
