Pope Francis’ visit to Leyte, where he celebrated outdoor Mass in the rain than got him soaked, was held up as an example of humility, during yesterday’s pontifical Mass for the feast day of the Sto. Niño in Cebu City.
Auxiliary Bishop Emilio Bataclan, in his homily, noted that the Pope wore the same yellow raincoat as the people gathered near the airport in Tacloban City.
Pope Francis makes a surprise visit to a family in Palo, Leyte. (MALACANANG PHOTO BUREAU)
He said this was a manifestation of incarnation: “God who is in heaven, came down to earth to be clothed with humanity.”
He said the Pope’s act of humility reinforced the fact that all people are created equal before God.
Devotees packed the Pilgrim Center of the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño for the feast day Mass that ended nine days of prayers, Masses and processions.
The 25-minute homily was full of humor that the crowd was glued to the pulpit.
Bishop Bataclan stood in place of Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma who was in Manila to concelebrate the concluding Mass of Pope Francis in Rizal Park.
Bataclan discussed various topics from the 2015 papal visit to homosexuality and complaining about life.
‘Lord, why am I poor?’ We tend to ask. What if God would say, ‘Let’s trade places. Would you like to be crucified?’ I don´t think so,” Bataclan said.
He said that God has already given his best — his son to die on the cross, but people still find that they are not satisfied.
“Sometimes, we are so picky with the gifts God has given us. We say, ‘is this it, Lord?’ Pag sure oi!” said Bataclan.
Bataclan revisited the journey of the Three Kings who searched for the infant Jesus, bearing gifts.
He said that many Catholics today go to church without the right attitude for worship.
One of the three kings’ gifts, myrrh, symbolized the humanity of Christ, said Bataclan.
On human sexuality, Batacalan said God made man distinct from woman.
“We have our own sexuality and we need to respect that. Otherwise, we will only confuse ourselves,” he said.
“If two women were to live together and decide to adopt a child, how will the child breastfeed? The baby would be confused!” the bishop said as the crowd roared with laughter.
The bishop said the principle of gift giving is essential in the observance of the Eucharist, or communion with God.
He said that the more people invest in their gifts, the better these become.
Jesus Christ poured himself as a gift for mankind, out of love shown in many ways which people should be ready to recognize and receive, said the bishop.
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