MANILA Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle washed the feet of former drug users, policemen and relatives of victims of extrajudicial killings on Maundy Thursday.
The reenactment of the “washing of the feet” was part of the evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper at the Manila Cathedral.
The 12 people, representing the 12 apostles whose feet Jesus Christ washed during the Last Supper, included drug surrenderees, policemen and relatives of victims of summary executions linked to President Rodrigo Duterte’s brutal anti-drug campaign.
In his homily, Tagle reminded the faithful to help people who have committed wrongdoings, instead of passing judgment.
“Hindi tayo nandito para manghusga. Nandito tayo para sariwain ang gawain ni Hesus,” Tagle said.
“Lahat po tayo ay may maruming paa. Wala po sa atin dapat ang magmalinis,” he added.
Tagle reiterated the Church’s stand against the drug war. He assured former drug users and families of summary execution victims, some of whom attended the Mass at the Cathedral, of his support.
“Tutulungan po natin ang gustong mag-bagong buhay,” he said.
Humility
In UST, Vice Rector for Finance Fr. Roland Castro, O.P. called on the faithful to be charitable towards others as “everyone’s feet are worthy of washing.”
“There is no feet excluded from love. There is no feet unworthy to be washed,” Castro said in his homily at Plaza Mayor.
“By washing the feet of His disciples, Jesus set before us an example of how to love one another,” Castro added.
Fr. Mandy Malijan, O.P., parish priest of Santo Domingo Church in Quezon City, likewise urged Filipinos to follow Jesus as an example of humility.
“Sa paghuhugas ng ating Panginoon sa kaniyang mga apostoles, ipinakita niya ang pagpapakumbaba,” Malijan said.