A FORMER UST secretary general emphasized to priests the importance of serving humbly and not losing sight of their responsibilities due to special treatment as the University celebrated the Mass of the Lord’s Supper at the Plaza Mayor on Maundy Thursday, March 28.
Fr. Jesus Jay Miranda Jr., O.P., the prior of the Priory of St. Thomas, cautioned in his homily that excessive courtesy from laypeople could divert priests from their duty.
“From time to time, we need to consider that in overdoing this, we are, in a way, turning a blind eye, for some of us are being blinded. Why? Because we might forget that we are here to serve, not to be served,” he said.
Maundy Thursday is a reminder of humility, often marked by the washing of the feet of 12 individuals by priests, symbolizing the 12 apostles whose feet Jesus Christ washed during the Last Supper.
“Kapag tayo ay naghugas na paa ng ating kapwa, tayo’y bumababa. And that in itself is already a sign. That in itself is already a gesture of humility,” Miranda said.
Miranda said humility and service should be practiced consistently, even in the absence of cameras.
“I think that’s the sad part, when we serve because the camera is on us,” he said. “Mataas ang tingin natin sa ating sarili kapag tayo’y may nagawa ng mabuti.”
Maundy Thursday marks the beginning of the Holy Triduum, the highest point of the Church’s liturgical year that commemorates the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for the salvation of mankind.
In UST, the washing of the feet was led by Miranda. Ammiel B. Maestrado
