January 7, 2016, 11:29p.m. – THE HOLY BIBLE is the manifestation of the power of God, Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle told the faithful in the Mass for National Bible Day at the Manila Cathedral.
In his homily, Cardinal Tagle said the Holy Bible was the expression of God’s desire to forgive sinners and make them “apostles.”
“The Word of God is not about ideas but the actions of God to transform sinners into prophets and apostles,” he said.
Tagle also called on the faithful to trust in the mercy of God for sinners, citing Jesus as the perfect example of God’s “work of mercy.”
“[When] Jesus comes to you, that is the mercy of God. That is the word of God. When God comes close to you, that’s the start of [apostolic] mission,” he said.
The prelate added that there were no excuses for the laity to refuse to be messengers of God’s Word, noting that Isaiah, Peter and Paul were ordinary men.
National Bible Day is usually celebrated on the last week of January. The celebration was postponed by many dioceses to give way to the recently concluded 51st International Eucharistic Congress in Cebu City. Gabriel M. Agcaoili
