Holy Week: Focus on Inward Reality.

Holy Week: Focus on Inward Reality.

In this Sunday Mass homily at Saint Michael Kalibo, +Bp. Romie-Jun Peñalosa reminded us that this Holy Week: Focus on the Inner Reality. Today, we celebrate Palm Sunday. In ancient times, processions with branches symbolized a king returning home victorious from battle. Similarly, as Jesus approached Jerusalem, people welcomed Him with palm branches. As we commemorate this day, many of us observe rituals with blessed palms—placing them on windows, doors, or altars to ward off harm. However, this Holy Week: Focus on the Inner Reality calls us to go beyond rituals and symbols. Instead, we must allow Jesus to enter our hearts, remembering that He brings love, justice, and peace. In today’s Passion Gospel, two significant moments appear three times. First, Jesus prays, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done.” Though He prays repeatedly, the Father does not take away His suffering. Likewise, there are moments when God seems silent in our prayers. Therefore, we must reevaluate how we pray and learn to depend more deeply on His grace each day. Second, Peter denies Jesus three times. Indeed, none of us can claim to love perfectly as Jesus did, for in many ways, we also deny Him. While we may not deny Him in words, our actions often do—especially when we refuse to forgive. When we reject a neighbor who has wronged us, we also turn away from Christ. Thus, this Holy Week: Focus on the Inner Reality invites us to look within—to renew our prayer, to trust in God’s will, and to stop denying Jesus. Instead, may we repent and sincerely lament our sins. Theme: “We are committed to encourage people to pray because our Lord Jesus Christ never gives up on us. First Reading: Isaiah 50:4-9 Psalm 31:9-10, 11-12, 13-14, 15 Second Reading: Philippians 2:5-11 Gospel Reading: Matthew 21:1-17   Check out our Sermon page for more homily recaps and video links to our uplifting messages. God bless!   https://www.saintmichaelkalibo.com/sermons/holy-week-focus-on-inward-reality/?feed_id=790&_unique_id=69c8a1d86567f