Sara Duterte urges Catholics to teach, spread Jesus' love on Holy Week

In observance of this year’s Holy Week, Vice President Sara Duterte has called on the Catholic faithful to follow the example of Christ and use it as a tool to help communities.

Duterte, in a video message released Monday, said that the Holy Week is a vital opportunity to reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus’ life to save people from their sins.

“Magsilbi sanang ilaw sa atin ang sakripisyo ni Hesus at patatagin natin ang ating pananampalataya sa mga panahong tayo ay nagiging mahina, nawawalan ng pag-asa, o punong-puno ng pasanin, galit, at mga hangaring laban sa ating kapwa,” the Vice President said.

(May the sacrifice of Jesus serve as a light for us and let us strengthen our faith in times when we become weak, lose hope, or are feeling a heavy burden, anger, or bad intentions against others.)

“Tularan sana natin ang pagmamahal ni Hesus sa atin — ituro ito, palaganapin ito, at gamitin ito sa ating pagsusulong at pagpapalakas ng mga komunidad na nanampalataya, nagsisilbi sa kapwa at sa bayan,” she added.

(May we imbibe Jesus’ love for us — teach it, spread it, and use it to help and strengthen communities that have faith and serve the people.)

Duterte also underscored the importance of healing and conversion amid the trying times this season of Lent.

“Habang dumaranas ang bayan ng matinding pagsubok at lalong lumalalim ang pagkawatak-watak, ang Kuwaresma ay paanyaya para sa panahon ng paghilom, pagbabalik-loob, at pagbabalik-tanaw sa mga pinahahalagahan nating Pilipino: malasakit, pananampalataya, at pagkakaisa,” she said.

(As the nation goes through great trials and the division gets worse, Lent is an invitation for a time of healing, conversion, and looking back at what we Filipinos value: care, faith, and unity.) — Giselle Ombay/RSJ, GMA Integrated News