[REFLECTION] What has changed in me?

Upgrade to High-Speed Internet for only ₱1499/month!

Enjoy up to 100 Mbps fiber broadband, perfect for browsing, streaming, and gaming.

Visit Suniway.ph to learn

As people waver in the many spectrums in their lives, what remains unchanged is the love and mercy of Jesus — and that is always a reason for hope

When I was a child, I always looked forward to Palm Sunday. I was captivated by the sight of young coconut leaves artistically woven into crosses, the priest blessing the palms, the solemn procession of the “12 apostles” in crisp white, and children dressed as angels with flowing garments and makeshift wings. These images brought life and color to the celebration.

But during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, I missed these joyful scenes. Strangely enough, it was also a providential moment. In the absence of spectacle, we were invited to focus on what truly matters: to return to the essentials, to rediscover the meaning of the cross, and to quietly ask ourselves: “Through the passing of time and trials — what has changed in me?”

Palm Sunday reminds us not only of celebration but also of contradiction. The same crowd that shouted “Hosanna!” as Jesus entered Jerusalem with palm branches waving in triumph may have been the very crowd that, just days later, cried out in rage, “Release Barabbas!” and “Crucify Him!”

But it wasn’t just the crowd that changed. Even those closest to Jesus did.

Peter, who swore unwavering loyalty, denied Him three times.

Judas, whose feet Jesus tenderly washed, betrayed Him with a kiss.

The rest — save for the beloved disciple — fell asleep in Gethsemane or fled in fear during His darkest hour.

Why such sudden change?

From gratitude to betrayal.

From peace to violence.

From welcome to rejection.

From unity to abandonment.

From a community of believers to a confused, angry mob.

Is this truly part of human nature — to retreat, regress, and forget?

Sadly, we too undergo such changes.

From respectful children to impatient sons and daughters, intolerant of our parents’ aging.

From playful, forgiving friends to adults quick to judge.

From passionate lovers and newlyweds to partners who forget to express affection.

From believers full of faith in times of abundance to doubters in times of trial.

From simple, zealous seminarians to overly sophisticated priests.

From humble novices to reluctant missionaries, selective with assignments.

From hesitant leaders to those unwilling to relinquish power.

From pastors close to the poor to distant figures welcomed mostly by the wealthy.

From young idealists who once marched for justice to silent enablers of corruption.

From hopeful civil servants to calculating politicians.

From truth-seekers to purveyors of disinformation.

And yet — amid all this — some did change for the better.

Like the repentant thief who, hanging beside Jesus, found courage to say, “Remember me.”

Like the women who stood by the cross, never leaving — even when the world turned away.

Foremost among them was Mary, our Mother — constant, faithful, and strong.

But what remains unchanged through it all is the love and mercy of Jesus.

A love that remains firm, even in betrayal.

A mercy that embraces us, even from the cross.

A faithfulness that never lets go.

This is the reason for our hope.

And this is what makes the coming week truly HOLY. – Rappler.com

Elias Ayuban Jr. is the bishop of the Diocese of Cubao.