Bishop Pablo Virgilio David of Kalookan, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, cautioned Filipinos against electing candidates in this year’s national elections “who act like kings” instead of being servant leaders.
“It is important to ask in May …. Who among the candidates would act like bosses, and who would act like a servant, who would not be ashamed to wash others’ feet?” said Bishop David during the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on April 14, Holy Thursday.
Cardinal Jose Advincula of Manila also warned of leaders who only think of themselves as he washed the feet of people involved in the coming Philippine elections during Holy Thursday rites.
“There are many leaders in the world who only want all the opportunities to serve for themselves. They do not want to share the chance to serve. They want to be the only center of attraction,” said the cardinal.
He said that these kind of leaders will do everything to remain in power, and instead of empowering the weak, they will treat them as dependents.
Bishop David warned against leaders who once in power “act like gods, pretending to be kings.”
“It is dangerous to put them in the seat of power. People can be drunk and delusional over power. They are the type of people Satan play with,” said the prelate.
The washing of the feet is traditionally performed by the Catholic Church during Holy Thursday, the start of the Pascal Triduum, the three days of the Holy Week leading to Easter. It mirrors Jesus’ washing of the feet of his 12 disciples during the Last Supper.
“Jesus is a different kind of leader. He did not leave us ignorant and without dignity. He did not enslave us, rather, he treated us as his friends and brothers. This is why he instructed us to wash each others’ feet,” added Cardinal Advincula.
The Manila prelate reminded the Catholic faithful to always be humble and ready to serve like Jesus washing the feet of his disciples.
“Are we ready to empathize with those who were defiled and wounded? Do we care for those who were driven away and left behind by society? Let’s ask the Lord for the gift of humility,” he said.
Archbishop Advincula urged everyone to thank those who chose love despite the hard times, especially the parents who showed their availability and readiness to love.
“[Jesus] was always ready to serve despite his schedule, his plans ruined, or lack of resources. He was ready to sacrifice, to set aside, or to leave everything for love. He would find a way instead of making up excuses,” said the cardinal.
The archbishop washed the feet of 12 people with key election roles as part of the traditional Holy Thursday ritual during the Mass of the Lord’s Supper.
