RED MASS

(Homily delivered by His Eminence Gaudencio B. Cardinal Rosales, D.D., Archbishop of Manila during the Red Mass he celebrated at the Manila Cathedral on July 7, 2010
at 9 a.m.)

The Red Mass is actually the Mass of the Holy Spirit that, on the Feast of Pentecost fifty days after the Resurrection of the Lord, and as promised, came to anoint the apostles.  The coming of the Holy Spirit was described in the Book of the Acts, that “as they (the apostles) were sitting; there appeared to them tongues as of fire; these separated and came to rest on the head of each of them.  They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak different languages as the Spirit gave them power to express themselves”  (Acts 2:3-4).  With the coming of the Spirit everyone understood in his own language the truth about Jesus that they spoke.  It did not only bring light in understanding, it brought unity in accepting the truth.

The descent of the Spirit was described as “tongues of fire” coming to rest on the head of each of those apostles.  The Holy Spirit descended on those men, who, some fifty days back, denied and ran away from the Lord, showing all that it (the Spirit) is both light and reconciliation, underlying the truth that all --- both the fallen and the upright --- need the anointing of the Spirit.  This is why on special moments in life, like when taking up new responsibilities, the Holy Spirit is invoked and invited to guide those with special authority over the dispensation of justice and the decision of what is for the good of all.

In a country where there are seven more times poor people than affluent citizens, justice necessarily becomes the equalizer available to the poor, especially when the rights to property, to a decent work, to a graft-free service and honest governance or when the right to security of life (as individual or as a group) is violated.  In the Gospel parable on the poor widow seeking justice, the Lord Jesus declared that God will see justice done to those who seek it, and done speedily (Luke 18:1-8).

An unjust law, if ever there was one, or granted that we have only just laws, but which are badly interpreted, or worse still, if they are implemented, to benefit only the favored few, will make the poor and the weak suffer.  In life any bias against the weak in the administration of justice is not only an affront against the weak, but it creates a mindset that in an unguarded moment (it) can hide a repeated injury to the poor.

So sensitively decisive is serving justice, for in the balance is not just one man or his work, but most often, the survival of a family. Thus, it has been said, many times and earlier, that those who have less in life should have more consideration in law.

Today, we pray, with you and for you, that the Holy Spirit will, as He did for the apostles in the early days of the Church, continue to guide those who serve our people, taking advantage of no one. We continue to invoke Him that the manner of serving may never disaffect the people’s trust in transparent governance and the selfless politics of the public servants. We include the people and ourselves in the prayer that we may also encourage such a self-effacing commitment to justice and truth in ways that this will characterize the new approach to service.

What is traditionally celebrated in other countries is today begun in the celebration of the first Red Mass—an invocation of the Holy Spirit for the men and women, who will guide, accompany and serve the nation in its pursuit of a just and well-fulfilled life.

God led you to this task through the help of the people, may He continue to accompany and enlighten you with the Holy Spirit as you serve the very same people—the Filipino People.
Thank you. God bless you. Amen.