‘Do not follow arrogant kings’
Credit to Author: CATHERINE A. MODESTO| Date: Sun, 14 Apr 2019 16:18:34 +0000
MANILA Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle told the Christian faithful not to follow “arrogant, revengeful” kings, as he ushered in Holy Week rites with Palm Sunday Mass at the Manila Cathedral.
Tagle lamented that people seek arrogant leaders as they were “easier” to follow and were more “attractive” than Jesus Christ.
“It is not easy to emulate and embrace the traits of Jesus,” who according to Tagle, “is humble and in full solidarity” with sinful humanity.
“But, through God’s mercy, we could love and follow him,” he said in his homily.
Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, during which Christians commemorate the passion, death and resurrection of Christ.
Before the Mass, Tagle blessed palm branches brought for the occasion to commemorate Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem two millennia ago.
Tagle challenged the faithful to practice humility and endure sacrifices.
“Imposible sa ating hubarin ang sarili, magpakababa, `yung igalang ang umaalipusta sa’yo. `Yung hilumin ang sumusugat sa`yo. ‘Di `yan ang kalakaran ng mundo. Pero para sa Diyos `di `yan imposible (It is impossible for us to practice humility, to respect those who abuse us. To heal others who inflict pain on you, that is not how the world works. But these things are not impossible to God),” Tagle said.
He cited how the apostle Paul urged Philemon, an early Christian leader, to reconcile with and embrace as brother Onesimus, who had wronged him.
This, he said, was the way of Christ, “not like other kings in the world who hold on to their dignity so others may hold them in high esteem and exalt them.”
No revenge
The prelate also said Jesus never approved of the use of weapons for revenge.
“Ang tugon ni Hesus sa magmamaltrato sa kanya ay paghihilom. Siya susugatan pero `di siya gaganti, mangsusugat sa iba (His response to those who persecute him is healing. Others would cause him pain, but he would not seek revenge or hurt them back),” Tagle said, referring to Judas Iscariot, the apostle who betrayed Jesus to the Pharisees for 30 pieces of silver.
Tagle called anew on the faithful not to “avoid Jesus’ words and deeds” this week, but instead get to know Jesus so they could follow him.
He said: “Holy Week is not just a chance for us to take a break and go on a vacation. This is also a time of getting to know Jesus Christ. ‘Who is Jesus? Why did he take the path for us?’”
In Naga City, Archbishop Rolando Tria Tirona, head of the Archdiocese of Caceres, said in his homily: “As we value this moment of being with our loved ones, let us not forget the very reason why we are gathered together during this Holy Week. It is to remember in prayer and in conversion, the loving and total sacrifice of Jesus on the cross for our salvation.”
He added: “This Holy Week, especially the Solemn Triduum of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday are days of intense prayer and remembrance of Jesus’ death on the cross.”
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