Cardinal Jose Advincula of Capiz called on the faithful to be living witnesses and “missionary disciples” amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The new Filipino cardinal said there are many ways to be missionaries, including the sharing of knowledge with others.
“Even if most of us are forced to stay at home, we can still carry out our mandate to be missionary disciples,” said Cardinal Advincula.
“Through our words, actions and our total commitment to the faith, we can all preach the Gospel to others around us be it at home, workplaces, schools, and within our small communities,” he said.
The cardinal delivered a homily during Mass at the cathedral in Roxas City for the celebration of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary of December 8.
Cardinal Advincula wore a face shield and a face mask during the celebration in accordance with the health and safety protocols suggested by the government.
The prelate said Catholics should not just be at the receiving end of instruction and witnessing but should also be prompted to instruct and give witness to their faith.
“We cannot be disciples only, we have to be missionaries,” he said. “We are missionaries that are mandated to proclaim the Good News of our salvation.”
Proclaiming the Gospel is not just the task of the clergy and consecrated persons but also of the laity, he said.
The cardinal said the missionary mandate comes from Christ himself and was lived by the early missionaries that arrived in the Philippines 500 years ago.
