Cardinal Jose Advincula of Manila warned of leaders who only think of themselves as he washed the feet of people involved in the coming Philippine elections during Holy Thursday rites on April 14.
“Maraming mga lider sa mundo na gustong sarilinin ang lahat ng pagkakataong maglingkod. Ayaw nilang ibahagi ang paglilingkod. Gusto nila na sila lang ang bida, sila lang ang magaling, at sila lang ang namumuno,” said the cardinal during the Mass of the Lord’s Supper at the Minor Basilica and Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, also known as the Manila Cathedral.
He said that these kind of leaders will do everything to remain in power, and instead of empowering the weak, they will treat them as dependents.
“Ibang uri ng lider si Hesus. Hindi niya tayo iniwan na walang alam at walang dangal. Hindi niya tayo alipin, kung hindi itinuring niya tayong kaibigan at kapatid. Kaya’t pinagbilinan niya tayo na ‘maghugasan kayo ng paa ng isa’t isa,’” added Cardinal Advincula.
The Manila prelate reminded the Catholic faithful to always be humble and ready to serve like Jesus washing the feet of his disciples.
“Handa ba tayong makiramay sa mga narungisan at nasugatan? Nagmamalasakit ba tayo sa mga pinagtatabuyan at pinag-iiwanan ng lipunan? Hiling natin sa Panginoon ang biyaya ng pagpapakumbaba,” he said.
Archbishop Advincula urged everyone to thank those who chose love despite the hard times, especially the parents who showed their availability and readiness to love.
“Laging handang maglingkod [si Hesus] kahit pa gumulo ang schedule niya o masira ang plano niya o kulangin ang resources niya. Handa niyang isakripisyo o isantabi o iwanan ang lahat para sa pagmamahal. Hahanap siya ng paraan sa halip na magpalusot o magdahilan,” said the cardinal.
The archbishop washed the feet of 12 people with key election roles as part of the traditional Holy Thursday ritual during the Mass of the Lord’s Supper.
The 12 people consist of first time voters, members of the electoral board, officials of the Commission on Elections, members of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting, and a member of the media.
