On this Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Cebu Archbishop Alberto “Abet” Uy presides over the Fiesta Mass at the Santuario Arquidiocesano de Nuestra Señora del Carmen, La Limpia (Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, The Clean One), Leon-Kilat St., Brgy. Kalubihan, Cebu City.
He was joined by the Order of Augustinian Recollects Community, and other visiting priests.
In his homily, Archbishop Abet reflected on what it truly means to be an authentic missionary and evangelizer, emphasizing that every mission begins with a deep and personal encounter with Christ.
He stressed that no one can proclaim what they do not possess. Before bringing Christ to others, a missionary must first allow Jesus to dwell in one’s own heart, mind, and way of life.
Drawing inspiration from the Blessed Virgin Mary, Archbishop Abet pointed out that before Mary brought Jesus to Nazareth, Egypt, and eventually to the world, she first carried Him in her womb.
“Sa atong pagmisyon o pagsangyaw ngadto sa uban, ato una pasudlon si Jesus sa atong kinabuhi, kinaiya ug hunahuna. Kon kita maayo lang mosulti, pero atong kinaiya dili Kristohanon, di gyud ta makadani og laing tawo ngadto kang Kristo,” Archbishop Abet said.
The Archbishop also underscored that a true missionary is one who recognizes and nurtures signs of hope, even in the smallest and most ordinary moments, becoming a source of light amid a world often marked by darkness and division.
“Daghan kaayong maot sa kalibutan karon. Naay pagkabahin-bahin, panag-away, panagbikil, dili lang sa politika kondili sa silinganan. Murag ngitngit kaayo. Makat-on unta ta sa pagtan-aw bisan sa gagmayng timailhan sa paglaum diha sa katilingban,” he said.
Concluding his reflection, Archbishop Abet highlighted that a genuine missionary, following the example of the Blessed Mother, remains present with those who suffer and refuses to abandon people in their moments of pain.
“Ang lig-on ug makusganon nga pagsangyaw kanang mubarog ta uban sa mga tawo nga nag-antos ug naglisod diha sa atong katilingban,” he said.