Cardinal Tagle decries human ‘commercialization’

Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle decried the modern-day “commercialization” of people in the forms of human trafficking, prostitution and unfair labor practices.

During his homily at the Mass of the Last Supper held in the Manila Cathedral on Maundy Thursday, Tagle said this “commercialization” reduces people to mere amounts of money.

Tagle also compared this commercialization to the betrayal of Judas Iscariot, who exchanged Jesus Christ for 30 pieces of silver coins.

“It is very painful when a person is given a corresponding amount. When someone asks you, ‘How much do you cost?’ It seems like you are no longer treated like a person, but as a material object with a monetary value,” Tagle said in Filipino.

“Jesus was able to pass it over because love was stronger than betrayal…From then on, all sins, all injustices, all forms of disrespect to the human person as manifested by prostitution, human trafficking, unfair and unjust labor practices, together with other forms of human selling, have lost their meaning,”  he added.

Tagle noted that Christians should follow Jesus Christ, who transformed Judas’ betrayal into an opportunity to offer himself as a sacrifice for others’ sins.

“That night was no longer a night marked by betrayal, but a night marked by love and willingness to offer His body and blood for His people, even for His enemies… Jesus Christ gave his body and blood, not only to the 11 apostles, but to all of them—including Judas,” Tagle said.

Tagle urged Catholics to commemorate not just Jesus’ death and resurrection, but also His sacrifices for Christians.

“As we celebrate the Eucharist, let us not forget that we were able to pass the slavery of sin to leading a new life because of the guidance of the Son of God,” Tagle said.

Tagle also said Catholics should shun materialism to “pass the night of betrayal into a night of love and self-offering.”

“Let us change the story of the victims of betrayal and oppression. We can all change this through love,” Tagle said

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