Manila Archbishop Jose F. Cardinal Advincula presided over the closing mass for the Luzon Apostolic Congress of Mercy (LUACOM) 2023 which held last April 20-21, 2023 at the La Consolacion University, Malolos, Bulacan.
In his homily, he emphasized how the Divine Mercy is the core of synodality by striving to encounter one another in living the ‘fullness of life.’
“Magandang matanto natin na ang Diyos ang unang nakilabay sa atin sa kasaysayan ng kaligtasan bakas ang kanyang pagsabay, pag-akay at paggabay sa sangkatauhan patungo sa kaganapan ng buhay kay Kristo,” he said.
“Awa ang dahilan, pamamaraan at intensyon ng pakikisamang ito sa luma at bagong tipan at kahit pa sa panahon ng Simbahan. Sa madaling salita, hinihimok tayo na isama ang isa’t isa, sa paglalakbay, sa pamamagitan ng pagtulad sa ‘modus vivendi’ o pamamaraan ng pamumuhay ng Diyos na walang iba kundi ang kanyang Mabathalang Awa,” he added.
Cardinal Advincula stressed that indifference allows the people to distance themselves from God. He also mentioned how mercy serves as the path to bring people together to God.
“To the selfishness of indifference, mercy orients us to commune with each other…To the short-sightedness of self-satisfaction, mercy urges us to share the good news to satisfy others to the brim as well,” he said.
According to Veritas News, Bishop Ruperto Santos of the Diocese of Balanga, who is also the World Apostolic Congress of Mercy (WACOM) Asia Coordinator, is not only grateful for the more than 2000 participants who participated in the convention but also how it was spread internationally with some groups from the United States.
“Masaya ako at marami ang tumugon sa tawag ng Panginoon, dahil sa Divine Mercy lahat tayo ay nagkaisa. Sana ang mga sharing na narinig ay maibahagi sa kapwa sa kanilang pag-uwi, maging misyonerong magpatotoo sa Banal na Awa ng Diyos,” he said.
The two day convention included testimonies of the faithful who were given a chance to share how the Divine Mercy changed their lives. Also, the priests of ‘Missionaries of Mercy’ administered the Sacrament of Confession in order to experience the goodness of God’s Divine mercy to His people.
The Luzon Apostolic Congress of Mercy (LUACOM) 2023 was hosted by the Diocese of Malolos through the initiative of the Divine Mercy Philippines. (Hazel Boquiren/RCAM-AOC | Photo from Radio Veritas)
