We Pray As Cardinal Sin Prayed

(Homily delivered by Archbishop Socrates B. Villegas of Lingayen-Dagupan during the Mass for the 82nd birthday of +Jaime L. Cardinal Sin, at the Manila Cathedral Crypt,
on August 31 2010.)

The 82nd birthday of Cardinal Sin is celebrated under the shadow of the hostage problem.  Not very far from here, a few days ago, the nation was shocked.    In prayer I asked myself, if Cardinal Sin were with us at the time of the hostage drama, what would he have done?  From what I know of Cardinal Sin, he would not go to Luneta.  From what I know of Cardinal Sin, he would not go to the crime scene.  From what I know of Cardinal Sin, he would pray.  And I am sure if President Cory were President of the Philippines today, President Cory would be calling Cardinal Sin, practically every hour, repeating her request  Your Eminence, please pray.  That is the relationship then.  Cardinal Sin changed  society by the power of prayer.  Now that the nation is geared towards healing because of that  embarrassing hostage crisis that happened in our country, what would Cardinal Sin have done?  Knowing Cardinal Sin, he would not be pointing fingers at many people.  He would just be praying.  Praying for those who have died.  Praying for those who were hurt.  Praying for everyone. 

At this point in our history, we don’t need more problems.  We only need more help.  And the only way to help one another is by praying for one another.  You and I have heard repeatedly  how Cardinal said, “Prayer is the strength of man and the weakness of God.”  The one who prays is always guided because God will not allow the one who prays to be misguided, to live in darkness. The one who prays is always powerful because the one who prays recognizes that his power is not his might, but of God.

And prayer always heals.  What time cannot heal, prayer can.  And that is why at this point in our history, we remember the question, “What would Cardinal Sin have done?” and the answer is what we do.  We get to our knees and pray. 

This is not the time for finger pointing and blaming. This is a time for healing.  It is a time for putting together our prayers as one voice.  It is a time for us to bow down our heads and in prayer, say, “Lord we have sinned.” 

We are all responsible.  There is not one of us here who can say I did not contribute to that situation.  The problem will start to be solved when each one says, I am responsible.  And because I am responsible, I can contribute to the healing of the body, the soothing of pain.

Brothers and sisters, if Cardinal Sin were with us, what would he have done?  The reality my dear Brothers and Sisters is although Cardinal Sin has passed on, his challenge for us today, is to be a praying people, a praying nation. He remains more clearly for us.  

We pray.  We pray as Cardinal Sin taught us to pray.  We pray for healing.  We pray for guidance and enlightenment.  We pray because when we pray, we become stronger because the one who prays carries that strength.  We pray to Cardinal Sin.  We miss him.  We miss his challenge to pray.  We miss his challenge for social engagement.  But the voice did not die.  The voice is still within us.  We can still change society by the power of prayer.  And that is our best contribution to society.  Your Eminence, I know you can hear us.  I know you are here.  Pray for our nation so that the memory and strength of our prayer will be our consolation.