The country’s new cardinal used his Christmas homily to emphasize inclusivity and unity, urging people to break down barriers that divide them.
Speaking during the late-night Mass on Dec. 24 to usher in Christmas, Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David of Kalookan stressed that Christmas is the ultimate sign of God’s unconditional love.
“Ang Pasko ay paanyaya sa tao na magbukas ng puso at isip, hindi lang mga tahanan para patuluyin ang Diyos sa pamamagitan ng ating pagpapatulóy sa isa’t isa,” David said at the Kalookan Cathedral.
(Christmas invites us to open our hearts and minds, not just our homes, to welcome God through our hospitality toward one another.)
“Hindi tayo magkakaroon ng kapayapaan sa mundo hangga’t hindi natin natututunang wasakin ang mga pader ng hidwaan at alitan sa isa’t isa batay sa kulay, relihiyon, lahi, kasarian, estado ng kabuhayan atbp.,” he said.
(We will not have peace in the world until we learn to tear down the walls of division and conflict based on color, religion, race, gender, or socio-economic status, etc.)
The cardinal quoted Pope Francis, who has repeatedly challenged the faithful to rethink who should be welcomed into the Church, saying, “Todos” — meaning, everyone.
David connected this to the words of Jesus in John 14, where He said, “In my Father’s house, there are many dwelling places,” highlighting that God’s house has a place for all.
The cardinal also reflected on the current situation in Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, where “high walls” surround the area due to tensions between Israel and Palestine.
He expressed concern that as long as fences remain around Bethlehem, true peace will remain out of reach.
