Pope’s Holy Week message: Avoid greed
ADDRESSING a vast crowd on Palm Sunday in Rome sometime after his papal election, Pope Francis urged them to shun corruption and greed and reach out to “the humble, the poor, the forgotten.”
Referring to wealth, he said: “You can’t take it with you, my grandmother used to say.”
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If he were in the Philippines wherein husbands, wives and children have lord it over the elections for decades, Pope Francis would add, “Shun political dynasties or greed for power!”
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The anti-dynasty bill in the Philippines is in the state of rigor mortis. Nobody’s interested to revive it because it would curtail the ambition of wellentrenched political families, many of whom are legislators.
“Avoid greed in all its forms,” Jesus said. “A man may be wealthy and influential, but his wealth-- or political power-- does not guarantee him life” (Luke 12:15).
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POPE’S WASHING OF FEET. On Holy Thursday in 2013, Pope Francis preferred to wash the feet of the apostles at Rome’s prison than in the traditional St. Peter’s Basilica; the apostles included two women and a Muslim.
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Pope Francis wanted to show that the Church should reach out to the inmates, the female sector, and the non-Christians, the needy, and the hopeless.
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Pope Francis believes the Church should be more like a “field hospital after battle,” with bishops serving as true pastors and priests spending more time in confessionals, consoling wounded souls.
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GOOD FRIDAY IN LAOAG. When I was a young boy in my home place of Laoag, Ilocos Norte, the drama of Good Friday passion called “Pammacso” had always attracted me.
My Lola would bring me to the antique, massive-walled St. William’s Cathedral, early enough to get a good seat for the afternoon service.
*** As the “Siete Palabras” reached the climax, a rolling thunder intensified. Lightning flashed from a spotlight perched at the choir loft; fire spewed from gas sprayers directed at burning candles. The spectacular reenactment built up until Christ’s head literally limped and his body quivered, gradually becoming motionless.
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Of course, the “sacristan mayor” controlled all the movements by covertly pulling a cord connected to the wooden body.
By the way, the faithful sacristan Tata Anno (Mariano) died a long time ago. He must be with the Lord now, laughing and reminiscing how he “executed” Him every Good Friday.
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Much as we would enjoy a spectacular show, we ought to remember that these are meant not to be seen primarily but to be LIVED.
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For instance, we could unite our personal sufferings with those of Christ. These sufferings could be the inevitable pains of old age or an incurable sickness, the result of a devastating calamity, an accident or an undeserved, unjust treatment. By offering them to the Lord, we also gain spiritual merit. Thus, our sufferings become redemptive.
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In this way, we are not merely passive spectators but active participants of Christ’s Passion, Death and Resurrection.
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RECOLLECTION. Everybody is invited to a recollection at the Heritage Center of the Loved Flock, Catanduanes Street, Q.C. today Holy Thursday and Good Friday. Speakers include: Fr. Gerry Orbos, SVD, Sr. Tetchie Rodriguez.