Cardinal Tagle kisses the foot of Father Teresito Suganob, former captive of terrorists during the Marawi siege, during the Lenten traditional washing of the feet at the Manila Cathedral. (Photo: CBCP News Twitter)
Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle lashed on Thursday at those who wanted to cling to power, suggesting to them to be humble like Jesus who chose to serve his disciples.
“Pag ikaw ay nasa taas, ayaw mo nang lumisan. Lahat gagawin mo para manatili na diyan. Pero si Hesus, hindi… Lumilisan si Hesus sa isang katayuan, binabago ang kalakaran. Siya na guro at Panginoon: ‘Lilisanin ko ang aking dangal at kayo ay huhugasan ko ng paa bilang inyong lingkod,” Tagle said in his homily at the traditional washing of the feet at the Manila Cathedral on Maundy Thursday.
“Ang mundo natin ngayon, sanay na sanay na sa mga mukhang umaalis sa matatayog na posisyon. Pero sa bandang huli kapit-tuko, ayaw lumisan,” he added.
The archbishop’s homily centered on love being a never-ending departure and sacrifice to be of service to others.
“Ang pag-ibig ay walang katapusang paglisan, pag-alis sa sarili. Ang hindi handang tumawid, umalis sa kanyang sarili. Hindi marunong magmahal,” Tagle said.
He also washed and kissed the feet of 12 migrants and refugees at the liturgy that commemorates Christ’s washing of the feet of His disciples before he was crucified.
Marawi priest Fr. Chito Soganub, who was the last person to be washed with holy water on his feet, wept as Tagle knelt before him to wash and kiss his feet.
The Marawi priest was rescued after 116 days of being held by ISIS-linked Maute Group during the Marawi siege last year.
“Kasama natin ang isang pari, taga Marawi. Mahigit na isandaang araw siyang hostage pero hanggang ngayon ang puso kasama ang kanyang pinaglingkurang bayan at mga kapatid na ibang relihiyon,” Tagle said during the homily.
Others who took part in the ceremony include the parents of Joanna Demafelis, the overseas Filipino worker who was found dead inside a freezer in Kuwait, and a couple from the Philippine Navy who spend their lives mostly apart because of their assignments to be of service to the nation. /jpv
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