Today, the Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi in the City of Naga, Cebu, celebrates its 197th parochial fiesta.
Cebu Archbishop Alberto Uy presided over the Holy Mass. With him were the parish team of pastors — Fr. Benedicto Sarchez Jr. (Team Moderator), the team members: Msgr. Camilo Alia, Fr. Jesper Petralba, and Fr. Mariano Cuarto, and other visiting priests.
In his homily, Archbishop Abet emphasized that true love is not merely spoken but expressed through concrete actions.
“Ang gugma nga ipakita mas maayo kaysa gugma nga isulti ra,” he said.
Drawing inspiration from the life of St. Francis of Assisi, the Archbishop encouraged the faithful to embrace the three L’s: listen to God, live the faith, and love God’s creation.
“Kon tinud-anay atong gugma, nahigugma ta kang Kristo, ug mosunod sa iyang mga sugo. Kon tinuod tang nahigugma sa Ginoo, dapat ato sang higugmaon ang iyang mga binuhat,” he said.
He further stressed that caring for God’s creation and sharing its blessings with one another, free from greed and selfishness, can help ensure that everyone has enough to live.
“Kon atong ampingan ang hinatag sa Ginoo, di ta magkulang. Abunda ang atong kinabuhi. Mabuhi tang tanan,” Archbishop Abet said.
However, he lamented that greed, exploitation, and abuse prevent others from enjoying the abundance that God has provided, leaving many to suffer from hunger and deprivation.
“Pero tungod kay dunay laog, bintahuso, dunay mag-abuso, daghan sa ato magutman,” he exhorted.
He called on the faithful to begin transforming the country and their lives through change that starts at home.