Tagle urges Filipinos to open hearts to the world
by Marc dela Paz
Manila Archbishop Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle told delegates on Sunday to open their hearts to the world by helping one another as economic and social problems arise in society.
During the fourth Philippine Conference on New Evangelization held at the Quadricentennial Pavilion, Tagle said that everyone is experiencing “xenophobia” which becomes a hindrance for many to open themselves in helping others.
“How can you do mission if the doors are closed? How can you go out? It’s not just protecting the house from those who intrude but how about you? You don’t want to go out? You must be very fearful. You must really be scared,” he explained.
The Archbishop pointed out that shuttering oneself others comes from a fear of personal wounds and that individuals are afraid to face it.
“We like to pretend ‘I am not wounded’, but if I entered the open doors of the wounds of other people, I am entering my own wound. And then, I see myself in them,” he said.
“We have wounds in our own country, but we need to also enter the wounds of our brothers and sisters in other parts of the world, in communion and solidarity with them.”
Moreover, Tagle said that being open to others is a new way of evangelization, comparing it to the biblical story of Jesus healing the crippled man in the Book of Matthew.
“During these past three days, I have seen roofs being opened. So that we could be brought near Jesus,” he said. “The roof opened by God, so that His communion with us will be complete.”
Witnesses to faith and mission
Television personalities and non-government organizations share their stories of faith, and being of one heart with the marginalized people.
Actor Dingdong Dantes shared to the participants how his life as a student fueled his desire to help others now.
“Hindi po siya naging automatic, yung realization, siyempre bilang teenager iba-iba pa yung mga gusto, yung mga wants, yung mga desires,” he explained.
Dantes revealed that he provides scholarships to the children of soldiers.
“From scolarships nag-evolve po siya sa pagpapatayo ng school buildings, pamimimgay ng mga upuan especially in Yolanda affected areas. Now naman we are focusing on disaster preparedness.”
Meanwhile, Teach Peace, Build Peace Movement founder and executive director Bai Rohaniza Sumndad-Usman, shared her mission of teaching the value of peace to children who experienced war and violence.
“We often say that, gusto natin ng kapayapaan. For our organization, we strongly believe that we have to teach peace to build a culture of peace because it is in a culture of peace that we can create a different generation peace builders.”
Usman said that they start teaching children in their formative years to build a foundation of a peaceful character the child can be.
“So that as they grow up, no matter what forms of conflict yung maranasan nila, what violent narrative ang ma-introduce sa kanila, they will still follow the path of non-violence,” she said.
