“The more you will be Christ-like, the more ecclesial, a person of the Church you will become.” – Cardinal Tagle. Photo: Marlon Tonacao Santos
“Promotion makes Tagle 3rd or 2nd most powerful in Vatican” Philippine Daily Inquirer news.
There is something wrong with the news!
On May 1, 2020, Feast of St Joseph the Worker, the appointment of Cardinal Tagle is made public. My FB newsfeed is flooded with words of congratulations and prayers for the man. Promotion makes Tagle an influential, VIP and future papabile.
For many, the appointment is about POWER. He can be a man of influence, a policy maker, a decision maker for the whole Catholic Church and the world. But we must not be blinded by how the world sees such an appointment. I am very sure Tagle does not see it as power. Tagle, humble as he is, sees his appointment as SERVICE.
It is not about authority to control people but to guide people to the bountiful pasture of God. It is not about the influence to dictate people but to form people in accordance to the will of God. It is not about the order to follow but the inspiration to make the right judgment for the common good.
Tagle in accepting the appointment is offering himself in the service of the Church. It is not a promotion of status but a leveling up of his availability to promote the Good News. He himself is the good news.
The way we look and understand things will reflect how we act and treat everyone and everything. Let us be guided: Appointment is not about power but service!
Today we celebrate the Feast of The Good Shepherd. Si Hesus ang Mabuting Pastol.
Being a shepherd is not about power. It is about service.
Tagle as Cardinal-Bishop is a shepherd, a good shepherd, for us.
God bless you Chito!
