In Ash Wednesday message, Tagle slams hypocrisy of politicians

NEVER TOO YOUNG A lay minister at Baclaran Church marks the forehead of a toddler with the sign of the cross using ashes from burnt palm fronds, as part of the observance of Ash Wednesday which marks the start of Lent. EDWIN BACASMAS

As the political campaign season unfolded, Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle lashed out at the hypocrisy of some people who promote themselves under the guise of “charity.”

In his Ash Wednesday homily at the Archdiocese of Manila chapel in Intramuros, Tagle lamented that even charity, supposed to be a path to closer union with God, could be used for selfish interests.

He did not mention politicians, but the reference was obvious when he spoke on the first day of Lent, when Catholics had their foreheads marked with ash.

“This is why Jesus said when you give alms, don’t be noisy about it. Don’t have a barrage of photos taken when you’re donating to the poor. That’s the work of hypocrites who only want people to say ‘Wow, look at him, he’s really charitable, he’s helpful to others,’” he said in Filipino.

The cardinal warned that doing acts of charity contrary to its true meaning is like rubbing salt in the wound.

“Charity that doesn’t think of others, giving donations, giving alms  but calling attention to oneself is not charity. It is an insult to the recipient,” he stressed.

He added that this kind of almsgiving could bring a person farther from God.

Tagle reminded the faithful that real generosity of spirit was doing something for someone without their knowledge.

He tackled some concerns such as poverty and environment but reserved his more impassioned words for ordinary people whose struggles are worsened by some people’s “selfish” thirst for power.

“There will be a lot of charity work in the days to come but how many will be true service? Or these may just be self-promotion,” Tagle said.

According to him, Lent is a season  for reconciliation with God. This invitation, he said, rings out to Christians to take the Lenten call to conversion seriously.

Tagle also emphasized the message of the Gospel reading in which Jesus rereads the three works of mercy—almsgiving, prayer, and fasting.

He stressed that fasting goes beyond reducing one’s food intake.

“Fasting is not dieting. It’s giving, almsgiving, sharing,” he said.

Tagle reminded Catholics that Lent is a time for renewal, with special attention to  the suffering of others and helping them.

He said one way to help was by supporting the archdiocese’s Pondo ng Pinoy and the Fast2Feed of Hapag-Asa, a program aimed at feeding hungry and malnourished children.