Advincula tells faithful: Mass most effective prayer
ARCHBISHOP Jose Cardinal Advincula on Holy Thursday called on the faithful to always go to Mass, saying that it is the most effective and highest form of prayer.
“The Eucharist is the highest form of prayer because in the Holy Mass, it is Jesus who offers and it is Jesus who is offered,” said Advincula in his homily at the Manila Cathedral.
He pointed out that attending the Holy Mass was very important as a form of prayer, as he urged Christians to hear Mass every Sunday together with their families.
The prelate said that the importance of the Holy Mass was shown by Jesus during his Last Supper, when he washed the feet of his disciples.
He pointed out that Jesus did not wash their feet because they were dirty but that it had a much deeper purpose.
By washing his apostles’ feet, Advincula said Jesus invited his disciples to “deepen their relationship and connection” with him.
“And this is what prayer is all about. In prayer, we deepen our connection and strengthen our faith with Jesus.”
“Washing of the feet is an invitation to always pray so that we maintain our relationship and connection with Jesus,” he further said.
Advincula said that Jesus showed his love when he washed the feet of his disciples and by his death on the cross to save mankind from their sins.
“Jesus showed the extent of his love to his disciples and all of us; that is why he washed their feet. That is why he gave us his body and blood,” the prelate said.
During the Mass, Advincula washed the feet of 12 representatives of various sectors, who played a vital role in the formation of the Catholic faithful.
The participants were Dina Santos (an elderly), Regina Bautista (parent), Lilia Quintana (catechist), Fr. Jesus Madrid, Jr. (diocesan priest), Fray Shernan Sarmen (religious brother), Sr. Liliam T. Viana (nun), Ted Toledo (Church volunteer), Candy Pangilinan (social media influencer), Dr. Didoy Lobaton (Renewal Movement leader), Bro. Bo Sanchez (author of prayer and spirituality books), Dr. Rafael Lopez (artist), and Nathan Dublin (songwriter/ composer).
The washing of the feet is part of the Liturgy of the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper.
This significant tradition of the Catholic Church reminds the faithful that, as disciples of Christ, “we are also called to serve with a humble and contrite heart,” said Advincula.