To cap off the 5th Asian Apostolic Congress on Mercy, congress delegates and the Cebuano faithful joined the Eucharistic Celebration presided over by Antipolo Bishop Ruperto Santos at the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu earlier today.
With him were Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, Cebu Auxiliary Bishop Ruben Labajo, and other visiting bishops and priests.
In his homily, the good bishop led the faithful to a personal reflection on their mission as “messengers of hope and light” for their respective communities.
He encouraged them to invoke the guidance of the Holy Spirit as He will teach and empower them to “speak truth with love, stand firm in our faith, and show mercy to those around [us.]”
“By speaking truth with love, we bear witness to Christ in our interactions. We show that our faith is not just a private matter but a guiding principle in how we treat others. Speaking truth with love is not always easy, but it is a powerful way to build genuine connections and promote a more compassionate world,” he said.
To stand firm in faith, he urged the faithful to be unafraid in bearing witness to the Gospel so that others can be inspired by their example.
“In a world that often tests us, Jesus’ words remind us that our faith is not just a personal issue but a public declaration of our trust in Him,” he emphasized.
He added that we acknowledge Christ in our actions and create a snowball effect of love and compassion that can transform communities when we show mercy to others.
“In a world often marked by division and hardship, our merciful actions can bring healing and hope,” he emphasized.
He ended his reflection by acknowledging the unique and huge role of the Church in Asia as they are called “to be a community that reflects the love of Christ for humanity” by drawing inspiration from the saints and martyrs who have shown unwavering faith and courage in the face of adversity.