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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As we close the Holy Door of Mercy in our Minor Basilica and Cathedral, we thank God for the bountiful mercy offered to the thousands of pilgrims who crossed it, prayed, celebrated the sacraments of reconciliation and the Eucharist and participated in acts of mercy, We also thank God for inspiring Pope Francis to declare this jubilee that the world is in need of. Special thanks to all who organized the various activities of the jubilee. I am sorry that I am not with you today due to commitments in Rome. Please pray for the victims and survivors of the recent earthquakes in Italy and refugees and prisoners we have been visiting here. Let me offer some points for reflection as we conclude the Jubilee.
First, recall that a year ago, I was not alone in opening the holy door. With me were a girl who used to live on the streets, a person with disability and a whole family trying to move out of poverty. As they opened the holy door, they also opened their lives and hearts to us. Entering the world of the poor and suffering, we found Jesus who remains faithful to them. Jesus will never close the door of His heart to those who seek His mercy. Conversely the need of a poor person is our door to the heart of Jesus. Let us continue our pilgrimage of mercy and compassion by encountering the hungry, thirsty, homeless, sick, imprisoned, dying, confused, lost, lonely, and desperate. Walk with Jesus to meet the poor. Walk with the poor to meet Jesus.
Secondly, let us enter the wounds of other people, especially those that we have inflicted by what we have done or failed to do. Though difficult, it would help us to see how much suffering we have brought to other people’s lives. Let us not be afraid or ashamed to admit our fault and to ask pardon of people we have hurt. Humility opens the door to a justice that heals or restores dignity and relationships. A humble contrite person who does not run away from justice will receive mercy.
Thirdly, let us not enter the wounds of the people we dislike, of people who have wounded us or make our lives difficult, even of our enemies. By trying to understand their weakness, problems, pains and confusion, we begin to see neighbors, brothers, sisters, and fellow sinners in them. We stop being judgmental and self-righteous. With empathy and mercy, our longing for justice is purified. We begin to desire justice, not vengeance.
Dear Friends, the ritual of closing the holy door does not close the heart of God. God’s heart will always remain open for us as a haven of mercy, consolation and new life. So we should not be afraid to approach God who is caring and tender. Let us also keep our hearts open to the poor, to those we have offended and to those who have hurt us. Through justice watered by mercy, the wounds of persons, families, communities, nations and the whole of creation would be healed.
Lord, have mercy on us and grant us peace. Amen.
Luis Antonio G. Cardinal Tagle
Archbishop of Manila
