Beware of unity based on money, political power — Archbishop Soc Villegas
MANILA, Philippines — Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas reminded the faithful to be wary of “unity” that is based on money, political power as well as crime, sins, and defects, saying the virtuous unity must be based on humility.
“When unity does not come from humility, it will also self-destroy. Because unity that is based on money, will be destroyed by money. Unity that is based on political power, will be destroyed by political power itself. Unity that is achieved by our common crimes and sins and defects will be destroyed eventually by the same defects,” Villegas said in a homily on Maundy Thursday.
“Humility is important for unity, because when the arrogant come together, that is not a unity, that is a syndicate for crime. We must come together to be united, but the seedbed of all unity should be humility. When that happens, then unity really becomes our strength. Unity without humility is not a virtue,” the Bishop continued.
Villegas, during the Mass of the Lord’s Supper also explained the significance of the removal of Jesus Christ’s outer garments during the Last Supper.
Villegas said Jesus’ removal of his outer garments symbolizes humility.
“It was not for practical reasons… The removal of garments was also symbolic, the outer garments symbolizes power, the outer garment symbolizes prestige. The outer garment symbolizes our attractions, our ambitions, our addictions,” Villegas.
“The Lord asks us to remove our outer garments and the removal of outer garments is a symbol of humility,” the Bishop added.
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