CATHOLICS must become instruments of the Gospel to spread the good news of Christ’s salvation amid global conflicts, Cardinal Jose Advincula said during the Mass of the Lord’s Supper at the Manila Cathedral on Maundy Thursday, April 2.
Advincula said the unrest and violence happening in the world stem from the absence of love for God, which fosters pride, injustice and disrespect.
“Sa halip na humanap ng paraan upang makausap at maunawaan ng iba, ang hinahanap ay ang mga paraan kung paano sila dudurugin at buburahin sa mapa. Ang sandata natin ay hindi armas na pumapatay. Ang hawak natin ay ang salita ng Diyos na nagbibigay-buhay,” Advincula said in his homily.
He challenged the laity to be agents of the Gospel and to develop mercy and compassion to become a “light” to the world that is “covered in darkness and violence.”
The Manila archbishop washed the feet of 12 “formators of the Word and Sacraments” from the archdiocese, including catechists, teachers, lectors, and formators.
‘Bearers of the Good News’
In a Mass at Plaza Mayor, Fr. Art Vincent Pangan, O.P., parochial vicar of Santisimo Rosario Parish, challenged parishioners to become “messengers” of the Gospel.
“Kung maganda ang inyong mga paa, dapat ang inyong dala-dala ay hindi chismis, kundi ang good news. Ipinapadala tayo ng Diyos para magdala ng mabuting balita. At ‘yon ang misyon natin,” Pangan said in his homily.
The College of Education regent said the feet of the bringers of the Gospel must be ready to “run on the mountains, step on rough rocks and thorns” and be “calloused, worn out and wounded.”
The Mass of the Evening of the Lord’s Supper commemorates Jesus’s final meal with his apostles before his crucifixion and death.
The Last Supper celebration marks the institution of the Sacraments of the Holy Eucharist and Holy Orders by Jesus Christ. A.G.C. Mansineros and Y.A.R. Osea
