Are you still free for God or imprisoned by the so-called signs of progress?
This was Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle’s question for the youth during Chrism Mass at Manila Cathedral on Maundy Thursday.
Tagle urged the Filipino youth to use discernment to protect themselves from being enslaved by technology, fake news and hate speech.
“Do not let anyone rob you of your inner freedom. Ang dami pong iba’t ibang uri ng pagkabihag. Kawawa ang ating mga kabataan, hindi nila alam sila ay naalipin na,” he said.
Tagle also reminded parents to listen and be more sensitive to their children. Young people never hear good news; they only hear their incapacity to meet expectations that are not realistic, he added.
“Many young people, live their lives in bad news. Hindi makatapos ng pag-aaral, kulang sa pera…’yong iba binubully. May mga bata nag-iisip magpakamatay na lang kasi ang naiisip nila ‘walang nagmamahal sa akin.’ Minsan ang mga magulang din po masyadong matatayog ang hinihingi,” Tagle said.
Held every Maundy Thursday, the Chrism Mass is a liturgical celebration where the bishop blesses the holy oils to be used for sacraments during the year, and where priests renew their religious vows. V. A. Angeles
