Dateline PhiliPPines Archbishop calls on faithful to show love through deeds

by William B. Depasupil ManilaTimes.net

ARCHBISHOP Jose Cardinal Advincula on Holy Thursday, April 6 called on the faithful to be Christlike and make a difference by showing our love, not through words but through deeds.

Advincula said that Jesus showed us his love when he washed the feet of his disciples during the Last Supper and his death on the cross to save mankind from their sins.

“On this night (Last Supper), Jesus showed the extent of his love to his disciples and all of us that is why he washed their feet. That is why he gave us his body and blood,” the prelate said in his homily during the Mass at the Manila Cathedral.

“Jesus loves us to that extent and Jesus is not afraid to show the extent of his love to us,” he added.

What the Lord has shown during the Last Supper, Advincula pointed out, was an example to follow, stressing that like Jesus, “let us show our love not through word, not only through emotions but also through deeds.”

‘Advincula said that spoken love is not true love, and one should not be accepted as truth, if it does not match with deeds.

“Let us not also be afraid to show our love for God and others,” he further said. Let us not be ashamed of your love to our families, to husband and wife, brothers and sisters, relatives. Show your love to each other,” together,” Advincula said.

According to Advincula, nobody should presume that who he or she loves knows that love.

“Do not be afraid to show your love to your fellow man by sympathizing and journeying with them,” he said.

He explained that the Church’s practice and emulation of Christ’ washing of the feet of those that need attention and concern is an assurance that they were not alone in their life’s journey.

And more importantly, the Cardinal stressed, “do not be afraid to show how much you love God, do not be ashamed to express your faith in God.”

The extent of such love by Jesus, Advincula said, would be witnessed and seen by the people on the night of Black Saturday and the next three days after leading to Christ’s resurrection.

“Jesus will not speak much. He will be silent most of the time but in silence, he will show the magnitude of his love,” Advincula further said.

“A love that made him took down to wash the feet of his disciples, a love that made him offer his body and blood to be our food and drink, a love that embrace the mockery of the people, a love that have him embrace and carry the cross, a love that made him die on the cross, and a love that brought him to the glory of the resurrection.”

“Jesus shows us the extent of his love. Let us always show our love. Let us not be afraid of how much we love Jesus by loving each other,” he concluded.

Heeding the call of His Holiness Pope Francis to become a more listening and compassionate church, Advincula washed the feet of 12 persons who represented the 12 sectors of society.

They were Dr. Ryan B. Capitulo (LGBT community), Raffy Tima (Media), lawyer John Rex Laudiangco (Commission on Elections), Judge Caroline A. Rivera-Colasito (Judiciary), Johann Joseph Ararao (Intramuros Administration), Cyril John Sunnga (Kalesa driver), John Michael Roldan (Jeepney driver), Manuel Jorge Manarang (Angkas rider), Fr. Ernesto M. Panelo (Missionstation priest), Sr. Liane Rainville, DW (Religious missionary), Alberto A. Mandia (Farmer) and Iluminada Sta. Ana (Dumagat indigenous elder).

The gesture of washing the feet is part of the Liturgy as it commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with his apostles.

This significant practice of the Catholic Church is a symbolic act of humility, service and love which is also associated with acts of charity and compassion. n