The Shrine of Jesus the Way, the Truth and the Life, in the Mall of Asia complex is all lighted up as the traditional nine-day dawn Masses begins December 16.
MANILA, Dec. 16, 2012—With many of the legislators invoking their consciences as their guide in voting for the reproductive health (RH) bill, Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle said God’s wisdom is a must to form consciences.
He urged lawmakers to open their hearts and heed the wisdom that can only come from God.
Tagle made the appeal in a message to the faithful for Simbang Gabi, as the traditional nine-day dawn Masses in preparation for Christmas began December 16.
“I appeal to our legislators in the House of Representatives and the Senate to welcome Jesus with joy. His Word and Wisdom (and not just any human word or wisdom) is needed to form consciences,” he said.
“I pray that you may prepare a straight path for the Lord so that the Filipino people of today and those of coming generations may find true and lasting joy,” the cardinal added.
Highlighting the theme of rejoicing for Third Sunday of Advent, also called “Gaudete Sunday”, the Cardinal also urged Catholics to manifest in their lives the joy of following Jesus.
“I call on all Catholics in the Archdiocese of Manila to make their joy complete by turning away for what is contrary to the Gospel in order to follow Jesus,” Tagle said.
“Joy in Christ leads to conversion to Christ and His ways. Conversion to Christ in turn leads to conversion to love of the poor, truth, justice and humble service as St. John the Baptist said,” he added.
The assurance that Jesus saves is enough reason for rejoicing even in the midst of uncertainties, sufferings and conflicts, Tagle also said.
During the nine-day “Simbang gabi” Masses preceding Christmas, the Catholic faithful symbolically join the Blessed Mother in her nine months of joyful expectation for the birth of Jesus. (CBCPNews)
