Epiphany 1995

To my dearly beloved in Christ:

The Lord and ruler is coming; kingship is his, and government and power!

For us Filipinos, the words of the Entrance Antiphon of today’s Mass are doubly evocative. Indeed, Christ has come on Christmas Day, and today He shows himself to the nations as represented by those wise men from the East. But for us, these words also allude to the coming visit of our beloved Holy Father, Pope John Paul II. He comes not as a celebrity — although he is one, having just been named Man of the Year by Time Magazine. Neither does he come as a mere spiritual leader — although he is that too, as head of the largest religious denomination in the world. Much more than these, for us he comes as the Vicar of Christ, or as St. Catherine of Sienna would say, Il dolce Christo in Terra, the Sweet Christ on earth.

Arise, shine out, Jerusalem for your light has come, the glory of the Lord is rising on you, though night still covers the earth and darkness the peoples. The words of the Prophet Isaias, which we heard in the First Reading of today’s Mass, should help us even more to realize the importance of this occasion. For several days, we shall have Peter among us. He who stands in the shoes of the fisherman stands in the shoes of Christ. To hear him, to be with him, to pray with him, and to attend or concelebrate Mass with him would be tantamount to be with Christ as he walked among us. As Jesus Christ himself had said to the Apostles, and more specially to St. Peter: He who hears you hears me!

Are we ready to hear the voice of the Vicar of Christ!

Last Christmas Day, we were reminded by the Reading of the Prologue of St. John how Jesus Christ — the Word made Flesh — was in the world, and the world knew him not; He came unto his own, and his own received him not. It is a terrible prospect, but one which happened, unfortunately continues to happen, and could very well happen to us too. The Jews of Jesus’ time did not recognize him nor receive him, because they were not ready. Despite the call to repentance and to conversion by the Precursor, St. John the Baptist, the Israelites were not ready.

Are we ready?

John the Baptist called for a baptism of repentance, for a true conversion that had to go beyond mere sentiments and external manifestations. When the Pharisees and Sadducees attempted to go through the mere rituals of his baptism, he exposed them publicly and called them a brood of vipers trying to flee from the wrath to come. This then is the first pre-requisite to be able to hear the voice of the Vicar of Christ fruitfully; to come with a new heart, a renewed soul, purified by sacramental Confession.

During these days therefore, I have given instruction for the priests to spend time in the confessionals. Go to them, after having prepared yourselves well by a thorough examination of conscience. Do not leave this all-important task for later, because although there will be confessors available during the World Youth Day celebrations, there will be no time to accomodate everyone.

On the days of the Papal Visit themselves, classes will be called off. Again, let us take advantage of this opportunity to be more actively involved.

Firstly, in the spiritual preparations, let those days be an authentic spiritual banquet. Whether at home following the Pope on TV, or under the elements waiting for him, pray a lot. Pray the Rosary, asking Our Lady — Mater Ecclesiae, Mother of the Church — to protect the youth delegates.

Secondly, many of them are coming at great sacrifice from the other side of the globe. This is the time to show once more our famous Filipino hospitality. We shall offer our houses to accomodate even just a lone teen-ager; we shall offer our food to the people around us in the different sites; we shall offer our time to guide the weary and lost travelers; but above all, we shall offer our smile, our understanding, and our patience — because inconveniences there will be a lot.

Finally, we will make the Vicar of Christ feel the warmth of our love. Realize further that for him this is a homecoming, because he has been here before and had experienced the affection of his Filipino children. Let us make sure he is never alone, by lining up the routes where he will pass with flags, buntings, streamers — anything that can bring home the message: John Paul II, Pinoys Love You! Juan Pablo Segundo, Kami’y Iyong-iyo!

As we prepare our personal dispositions, let us pray for the grace-filled pilgrimage of the Church and our country, — for the Church in Asia to fulfill her special evangelical mission, and for the Archdiocese of Manila, called to play the role of Mother to this great gathering of the Children of God.

With my paternal blessings,

(Sgd.) + JAIME L. CARDINAL SIN, D.D.

Archbishop of Manila

Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord 1995

Villa San Miguel