Holy Week is a chance to revive hope, love for others —VP Robredo

Vice President Leni Robredo on Maundy Thursday urged Filipino Catholics to consider Holy Week as a chance to revive hope and love for others amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Nakasara man ang mga bahay at kalsada, tinatawag naman tayo na laging buksan ang ating mga puso at isip sa mensahe ng kaligtasan ng dala ni Kristo. Hinihimok tayong gamitin ‘yung pagkakataon para huminto sumandali at magnilay to revive our faith and to renew our hopes,” Robredo said in her Holy Week message.

(While we are cooped up in our houses, we are called upon to open our hearts and minds to the message of salvation brought by Jesus Christ. We are called upon to use this time to reflect, revive our faith and renew our hopes).

Robredo said hope is key to surviving the pandemic, and that hope can be sustained by love for others as previously said by Pope Francis.

“Pope Francis said we were made by God for love, and love is the greatest expression of hope. We find hope and we give hope by loving and following the footsteps of Christ,” she said.

For his part, Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said the Holy Week should inspire the public to act with kindness especially during the pandemic.

“May the Lenten period be a time of reflection and may its essence guide us to act with love, hope, and compassion towards others as we collectively endure the present challenges,” he said.

Andanar also called on the public to continue compliance with health and safety protocols, especially those in areas under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) where religious gathering is not allowed.

Areas under ECQ include Metro Manila and adjacent provinces Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal. Under ECQ, non-essential trips are prohibited and non-essential businesses are closed.

But despite the ECQ, Filipino Catholics should to keep their religious devotion and hope alive, according to Senator Imee Marcos.

“Not even this pandemic can take away our Filipino traditions of faith - Pasyong Mahal, procession and the Senakulo, Bisita Iglesia, Via Crucis, The Seven Last Words, and Easter Mass," Marcos said in a statement.

"We will simply worship at home, or online, or wherever we can be alone and quiet with the Lord,” she added, noting that the pandemic has impacted the traditional observance of the Holy Week for the second consecutive year.

“In this time of great uncertainty, religious fervor cannot be suppressed. The pandemic has shown the helplessness of even the world’s most powerful governments, and we can only lift up our fears and our hopes to a higher power.” --Llanesca T Panti and Erwin Colcol/KBK, GMA News