On Maundy Thursday, Cebu archbishop links faith and service

CEBU, Philippines – For Cebu Archbishop Alberto Uy, there is one thing Christ teaches on the night of His Last Supper — to receive Him is to be of service to others.

At a celebratory Mass at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral on Thursday evening, April 2, the archbishop reflected on the evening of the Last Supper and washing of the disciples’ feet, which he described as a deeply moving act.

“The Eucharist shows us what Jesus gave. He gives His body and blood. In other words, He gives His body and blood. The washing of feet shows how Christ gave himself. He gives Himself in humble concrete service,” Uy said in a mix of English and Cebuano.

The archbishop explained that just as Christ had given Himself to his disciples, to wash their feet, the Creator teaches them to give themselves as well to others.

“Kon mudawat mo sa akong lawas, dapat mahimo sab mo nga akong lawas alang sa uban. Kon mudawat kamo sa akong gugma, kinahanglan inyong ipaambit ang susamang gugma ngadto sa uban,” Uy added.

(If you accept my body, you must also become my body for others. If you accept my love, you must share the same love with others)

To love is to kneel

The archbishop said that Christ’s servitude has more significance in the present as thousands continue to suffer from disasters and conflicts.

“Nagpuyo ta sa kalibutan nga daghan pa kaayo ang mga tiil nga angay hugasan. Ang mga taw nga nagantos sa kapobrehon, ang mga ginikanan nga naglisud sa kamahal sa mga palaliton, ang mga biktima sa mga kalamidad ug mga disgrasya,” Uy stressed.

(We live in a world where there are still so many feet that need to be washed. People who suffer from poverty, parents who struggle with the high cost of goods, victims of disasters and accidents)

For Uy, those who suffer are the same people that Christ wishes for His followers to serve.

“Gipakita ni Hesus nga ang tinuod nga gugma muluhod. Ang tinuod nga gugma mualagad. Ang tinuod nga gugma dili mahadlok mahugawan ang mga kamot,” the archbishop said.

(Jesus showed that true love kneels. True love serves. True love is not afraid to get its hands dirty)

Hence, for his first Holy Week celebration as head of the Archdiocese of Cebu, Uy washed the feet of twelve survivors and servants. 

Most of them are family members who survived the tragedies of the September 30 Cebu earthquake, severe floods caused by Typhoon Tino (Kalmaegi), the landslide at the Binaliw landfill, road accidents, and fires in Cebu.

The archbishop knelt and washed the feet of each of the twelve people.

“Sa paghugas sa mga tiil, gipahinumdoman kita sa usa ka bililhong kamatuoran. Si Hesus anaa dili lang sa yukaristiya, kon dili usab sa mga tawng kabus ug nagantos,” Uy said. 

(In the washing of feet, we are reminded of a precious truth. Jesus is present not only in the Eucharist, but also in the poor and suffering) – Rappler.com