February 16 - 28 , 2018 PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY 25
Cardinal Tagle : Bring back ‘ every life is a gift ’ mentality
Speaking to thousands gathered for this year ’ s Walk for Life at the Quirino Grandstand , Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle urged the faithful to counter the world ’ s “ materialism and pragmatism ” by seeing every life “ as a gift .”
“ One thing that is changing our view on life and valuing of life is the changing of the mentality … Because the prevailing culture , the view on the world and life is too functional , pragmatic and a bit materialistic . … We need to bring back the view and appreciation [ of ] life as offering and gift of God ,” said the prelate in Filipino during the Mass to conclude the walk , which kicked off at around 4:30 a . m .
According to Tagle , the prevailing attitude is to see everything as a “ commodity or thing ” that can be disposed . “… What is in our mind is whether this thing benefits me . When a thing is not beneficial or is a hindrance to me , I will do away with it . I will throw it away , I will eliminate it . … We are losing our perspective on the
Pope Francis said Wednesday that having Mass centered around the altar is meant to remind faithful that the cross is the first Christian altar on which Christ offered the sacrifice of his life .
During the Liturgy of the Eucharist , the Church uses various signs to “ continually makes present the sacrifice of the new covenant sealed by Jesus on the cross ,” the Pope said Feb . 28 , adding that “ this was the first Christian altar .”
“ When we draw close to the altar during Mass , our memory goes to the altar of the cross where the first sacrifice was made ,” he said .
Pope Francis spoke to pilgrims attending his general audience , which this week was divided into two areas due to the cold temperatures in Rome – the main group was in the Vatican ’ s Paul VI Hall , while the overflow watched the audience from inside St . Peter ’ s Basilica , instead of the square outside , where chairs are still dusted gift , on gifts , on God ’ s offering .”
Thousands of people flocked to the Quirino Grandstand to “ walk for life ,” particularly on prevailing issues in the country like the persecution of Christians ; the continuing drug menace and the Duterte administration ’ s drug war , abortion ; the proposed revival of the death penalty ; destruction of the environment and resulting threats to the lives of indigenous peoples ; the plight of farmers awaiting genuine land reforms ; labor contractualization ; the new tax law ; human trafficking ; and the lack of decent housing for the urban poor
In a culture that puts a premium on achievement , Tagle noted that “ the first casualty is life .”
“ Everything is achievement , there is no gift . … When we no longer see gifts and the thinking is ‘ Is this beneficial to me ? Can I use this ?’, life is the easiest to eliminate ,” he added .
According to Tagle , this is especially true when the life in question belongs to someone who is seen as a
white from Monday ’ s rare snowfall .
The Pope focused on the Liturgy of the Eucharist as part of his ongoing catechesis on the Mass , noting how the priest imitates several gestures that Jesus made during the Last Supper : the presentation of the gifts , the Eucharistic Prayer , the breaking of the menace to society .
“ I won ’ t see this as a gift of God , what I see is this is a pest . This is not beneficial , this has to be removed ,” said the prelate , who also heads Caritas Internationalis .
Organized by Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas , the biggest umbrella organization of national Catholic lay organizations and archdiocesan and diocesan councils of the laity , this year ’ s Walk for Life gathered members and
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leaders of various lay organizations like Soldiers for Christ , Adoracion Nocturna , Couples for Christ , Couples for Christ – Foundation for Family and Life , Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals , Ligaya ng Panginoon , Buklod ng Panginoon , among others .
This year , simultaneous walks were held in the cities of Tarlac , San Pablo , Cebu , and Cagayan de Oro . ( Nirva ’ ana Ella Delacruz CBCPNews )
The first Christian altar was the cross : Pope Francis
bread , and Communion .
During the presentation of the gifts , Francis said members of the congregation should bring the bread and wine to the priest , “ because they signify the spiritual offering of the Church gathered there for the Eucharist .”
Even if they don ’ t bring their own bread from home as was the custom in the past , “ the rite of the presentation of these gifts preserves their spiritual value and meaning .” ( E . Harris , CNA )