🌴 Palm Sunday tots

29 Mar, 2026

Today I went to Church for Palm Sunday. I have discovered something new—the 9:30 am Mass is the most crowded one. Add the fact it is Palm Sunday and some additional nominals in the mix, and you have yourself a crowded cathedral.

Something to note: PWDs do not need your pity, but your consideration. Most have accepted what has happened to them, and all they need now is for a little consideration on your side. Treat them as you would a normal human, but for goodness’ sake, PLEASE be considerate to their needs :’)

If you’re wondering why I’m in a wheelchair as a relatively healthy and active young woman, I tore my Achilles tendon last month playing badminton after a five-month break. After a chaotic travel to Egypt and an even MORE chaotic emergency trip to the motherland (Philippines), I had my surgery here and am on the road to steady recovery.

Despite its inconvenience (and sometimes pain if i sleep wrong), I don’t see it so much as a disability, but as an opportunity to offer more gifts of sacrifice to God. I guess it was also a blessing in disguise, since if I hadn’t gotten injured, we would’ve gone back to Kuwait and gotten stranded. Which is scary with all the missiles and drone strikes happening there, even as I write this. To all those living in Kuwait and other affected Gulf Countries—please stay safe. I continue to be praying for you all

Today’s readings was on the entrance of Jesus into the gates of Jerusalem, and while we were waving the palms, I couldn’t help but think about what He felt, seeing the people all celebrating His coming, knowing they would be the same ones who would kill Him. For some historical context, most “liberators” or former “saviors” in the Bible history referred to military liberators, like Gideon and King David, and most expected the Messaiah to be a sort of “be all, end all” of Israelite liberation from under Roman occupation, and all other foreign powers. But His mission was way more than that. It wouls not end in laurels and a throne, but in a crown of thorns, nailed to the Cross.

I kind of marvel at it—and all I can ask is “Why?” Why would anyone die in excruciating pain for people who hate you? Why suffer in love for those who would put you to death? And on loving—why love, knowing that the one you love won’t ever be able to reciprocate you fully?

To attempt answering these questions, I’m going to reference Father’s homily today (which was 🔥🧑‍🍳🥘 btw). Here’s an excerpt:

“What would we rather do—that which is easy, or hard? More often than not, we suffer because we don’t have a choice. We are often a victim of our circumstances, as in the issues of today—the war, the rising oil prices, and in our day-to-day suffering. But God reminds us that we always have a choice. And the question is now not if it is ‘easy’ or ‘hard’ but that we choose love, EVEN if it is hard.”

Love, in its purest sense, is a sacrifice. A sacrifice is something that isn’t easy, because it’s something that costs us. A sacrifice is never easy for us, and it’s never done FOR ourselves, but for the good of another. Think of the father who does not sleep, working to sustain his family, or the mother that pretends she isn’t hungry so her children have more to eat. True love isn’t what’s normalized on media, neither is it sensual or selfish, nor does it expect anything in return. True love costs us. And the greater the cost, the greater the love.

St. Thérèse of Lisieux (my absolute GOAT) shares a similar thought: “True love feeds on sacrifice and becomes more pure and strong the more our natural satisfaction is denied.” To feel attraction, romance, or excitement is human. But to truly love, divine.

I think about the infinity of God’s love sometimes, and about how much I don’t deserve it. But you know, perhaps it isn’t about reciprocating God’s love (cus ee can’t T-T), but being open to it in how we recieve it and let it reflect in our lives. The sacrifice of love. Isn’t it a beautiful thing? And how happy won’t it make Him, seeing us offering our feeble but earnest attempts to love Him and our neighbor in the same, pure and full manner that He loved us?

But anyways, this is getting long. We still have a whole week ahead of us to ponder (and lose our minds, in a holy manner) God’s love as we journey with Him to Calvary. Chins up, everybody. No matter what you’re going through, there’s a purpose to struggle and suffering. It’s what makes us brave enough to trust im His goodness, and darn right you all are brave, sticking through it all. No matter who you are, I’ll be praying for you, and I’ll see you in the next one! <3