“Share Christ with others as missionary disciples” : Manila prelate tells faithful in SVP feast
Date Posted: October 4, 2022 at 03:49 PM
Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula reminded the parishioners, Vincentian Community and churchgoers that discipleship does not end with intimacy with Christ, but in sharing His words and graces with others.
In his homily during the concelebrated mass for the solemnity of Saint Vincent de Paul held at the San Vicente de Paul Parish last September 27, Cardinal Advincula used the concept of “beauty” for a pair of feet to carry out his point.
“Hindi natin maiisip na malinis ang paa ng isang taong galing sa bundok. Hindi natin pwedeng asahan na mabango ang paa ng isang naglakbay sa malayong lugar. Marahil ang paa ng nagdadala ng magandang balita ay maganda dahil puno ng kalyo at sugat,” he said.
“We can easily announce something beautiful, something joyful, but we are not merely messengers of these glad tidings. Madali kasi ang maghatid ng isang magandang balita pero ang tanong din ay, tayo kaya – ang pagkatao ba natin, ang sarili ba natin ay magandang balita ba rin? Kaya magandang tanungin din ang ating sarili: tagapaghatid ba tayo ng magandang balita? Ang buhay ba natin mismo ang patunay ng magandang balita?”
He then reminded the faithful that someone who proclaims the word of God and inspired by Jesus’ teachings cannot replace Jesus himself.
Instead, those who are walking the same path as Him must lead others to the similar direction, and journey with them, especially those who are in the peripheries.
“Ang pinakamalungkot na mangyari sa isang Kristiyano ay maging dahilan ng paglayo ng kapwa kay Hesus. Nakakalungkot isipin kapag mas napapalayo natin ang ating kapwa kay Jesus dahil mismo sa ugali at pamumuhay natin,” he explained.
“[L]et us not allow the gift of 500 Years of Christianity to be wasted and reduced to celebrations and festivities, important though they are. Our faith in Jesus came to us as a gift that was received, appreciated, and treasured, but we cannot remain merely as recipients of the gift of faith. We are also called to share it. We are gifted to give,” he furthered.
Cardinal Advincula reiterated that what he discussed was the spirit of remembering Vincent de Paul – to have empathy towards those who are most in need.
“Napakahalaga kasi ng mensahe ni Hesus – huwang maging manhid, huwag maging bulag sa gutom at pangangailangan ng kapwa lalo na ng mga dukkha,” he said.
“Through the intercession of St. Vincent De Paul, we ask for the grace that our feet may truly be beautiful because we have become bearers of glad tidings, we have become bearers of Jesus.”
