Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle said Friday that it is everlasting love that saves, more than sacrifices.
“Ang pag-ibig na walang hanggan, hindi po pagpapakasakit, ang nagliligtas. Ang nagliligtas ay pag-ibig na handang magpakasakit (Everlasting love, not sacrifices, saves. What saves is love that is ready to make sacrifices),” Tagle said in his homily during the commemoration of the Lord’s Passion at the Manila Cathedral on Good Friday.
He said it is troubling that the “cruelty inflicted on Jesus Christ continues to be inflicted on men by their fellow men.”
“Ang pagpapakasakit lamang ay hindi nagliligtas. Kaya ‘yung iba na naghahagupit, akala nung iba basta masaktan sila, ligtas na. Hindi po ‘yun ang nagliligtas. Pag-ibig ang nagliligtas laban sa kasamaan. Nagdurusa ka nga, wala naman pag-ibig. Nagdurusa ka nga, reklamo ka naman ng reklamo. Walang kaligtasan ‘yun (Sacrifices alone do not save. Those who self-flagellate might think that they are already delivered from sin because they hurt themselves. That does not save them. It is love that saves one from evil. What is the point of suffering without love. What is the point of suffering if you keep on complaining. There is no redemption there),” Tagle added.
Meanwhile, he urged the faithful, particularly the youth, who are facing difficulties at home, at school, or anywhere else, to believe in Jesus Christ, who is always ready to love them.
“Please believe (that) Jesus loves you. And when nobody else loves you, you have someone named Jesus. Someone young, someone as young as you are, who knows the longing of young people to be loved. He is there to love you until the end,” Tagle said in his homily during the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper and Washing of the Feet on Maundy Thursday.
“Accept His love. Accept Him, you will not regret it,” he added.
The Archbishop said Filipino youths should let Jesus wash their sins away.
“Don’t be afraid. Don’t be ashamed. The world will judge you but Jesus will wash you, wash you with His blood. That’s how precious you are to Him,” the head of the Archdiocese of Manila said.
“Be compassionate, not self-focused. Be a servant rather than wait to be served. Love others and not just expect to be loved,” he added.
At the same time, Tagle urged young people not to let their uncertainties bring them down but use them to lift themselves up as the Lord will help them get through their trials.
“Please young people, believe with certainty no matter what your experience in the family has been. Even if one of your parents was absent. Even when the stresses of life have made you doubt whether you are loved. Believe (that) Jesus loves you with an everlasting love and Jesus can wash, not only your feet but your wounds and your history and Jesus wants you to be his friends,” he said.
On Thursday, Tagle washed the feet of 12 young Filipinos, recreating what Jesus Christ did to his 12 disciples during the Last Supper. (PNA)
