Manila archbishop to faithful: God is our ‘forever’

(Photo from The Manila Cathedral Facebook page)

“Tayo ang first love ni Lord, and first love never dies. Siya lang ang totoong forever,” Advincula said in his homily at the Manila Cathedral.

(We are the Lord’s first love, and first love never dies. He is the true forever.)

According to Advincula, God’s love, which is represented in the cross-shaped ashes on the foreheads of Catholics, will remind them that it is God’s grace that lasts forever.

“Ang forever ay ang biyaya galing sa langit at ito ang dahilan kaya hugis-krus ang abo na ipapahid sa noo natin. Ang hugis-krus ay paalala sa nag-iisang forever at iyon ang pagmamahal ng Diyos. Pagmamahal na walang-hanggan, pagmamahal na walang pasubali,” he said.

(Forever is a grace from heaven, and this is the reason that the ashes on our foreheads are shaped like crosses. The cross is a reminder of the only forever –  the love of God. Love that is eternal, love without reservation.)

Ash Wednesday marks the start of the season of Lent, the period of fasting, prayer, and repentance for Catholics. This year, Ash Wednesday coincides with Valentine’s Day.

Advincula also told the faithful to stay humble and added that the things of the world are only fleeting and impermanent and will not last forever.

“Let us not allow the delusions of self-righteousness, self-sufficiency, self-entitlement, and self-grandiosity to eat our hearts and cloud our minds. As the Gospel today reminds us: Let us pray and serve with humility, sincerity, and total dependence on God,” he continued.

The prelate likewise urged Catholics this Lent to return to God, the only “forever.”

“Ngayong Kwaresma umuwi tayo sa nag-iisang totoong forever. Let us go home into the warm embrace of our loving God,” he concluded.

(This Lent, let us return home to our true forever. Let us go home into the warm embrace of our loving God.)