ONLY through striving to search for the truth in Jesus can Christians have the courage to become an “upstander” who goes against the crowd, UST Rector Fr. Richard Ang, O.P., said in the liturgy of the Lord’s Passion on Good Friday, April 3.
In his homily, Ang challenged the laity to take their own moral stances, which, to him, is an obligation of a Christian and a Filipino.
“We are not meant to follow the masses or the crowd. We are called to follow Jesus and be an upstander. Ang malaking hamon sa araw na ito ay ang paghahanap ng lakas na huwag sumabay sa agos kung ang karamihan ay lumilihis sa kung ano ang matuwid,” Ang said at the Santísimo Rosario Parish Church.
Catholics are urged to discern, help, assist and give the benefit of the doubt, even if the majority shouts “crucify” and “cancel,” he said.
“Even if we are outnumbered, even if we are intimidated, and even if we are threatened, Jesus invites us to step out of the crowd and move into the family of God, where we hear God’s word and put it into practice, choosing kindness over cruelty, faithfulness over duplicity,” Ang said.
Reflecting on truth, the Dominican priest said it is not relative and does not change, even amid misinformation and deceit in society.
“Truth is difficult to locate. Do we have enough guts to stand up for the truth and to speak against injustice? Mahirap maging kaisa-isang boses na tumututol sa gitna ng karamihan,” Ang added.
He cautioned against a “superficial” motivation to follow Jesus.
“Maaaring binibigyang-diin dito ang ating kahinaan. Tinatanggap natin ang Diyos kapag maganda at pabor sa atin ang sitwasyon. Iniiwanan natin siya sa ere kapag wala na tayong makukuha,” he said.
Ang urged the laity to be loyal to Jesus, standing with him, “whether it is convenient or costly,” he concluded.
The commemoration was marked by the veneration of the Cross, where parishioners kissed and touched the image of the crucified Christ.
After the liturgy, devotees joined the procession of the Santo Entierro, the image of the dead Christ.
Good Friday is the only day in the liturgical calendar on which the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is not celebrated, as the Church commemorates the “real” sacrifice of the crucifixion itself, rather than the “sacramental” sign of the Mass. A.G.C. Mansineros
