MANILA Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle washed the feet of young people, foreign missionaries and married couples during the Mass of the Lord’s Supper at the Manila Cathedral on Maundy Thursday.
The 12 people, who represented the 12 apostles, included parish youth leaders, foreign missionaries, a person with cerebral palsy, a poll watcher, a first-time voter and newly married couples. They were chosen in line with the Year of the Youth and efforts to educate voters ahead of the midterm elections on May 13.
In his homily, Tagle called for open communication lines between parents and children to strengthen family relations.
“Ang malungkot na pagkasira ng pamilya. Siguro ‘yung iba sa inyo nagtatanong, ‘Mahal ba ako ng aking ama, ina…May nagmamahal ba sa amin,'” he said.
Tagle said guiding the youth is also the responsibility of teachers, government officials and policemen.
“Ang kabataan, ginagabayan, ‘di pinagsasamantalahan. Ang kabataan, minamahal, hindi ibinebenta o niloloko,” he added.
Tagle said that when life’s trials lead to doubts, the youth should believe that Jesus loves them with an “everlasting love.”
He also urged young people to extend forgiveness to others.
“Hinugasan ka ni Hesus, pinaglingkuran ka ni Hesus kahit ‘di ka karapat-dapat. Maglingkod ka rin. ‘Wag mong sarilinin ang pagmamahal na ibinigay sa iyo,” he said. M. C. L. Serquina
