Mass of the Holy Spirit: Work Must Lead to Jesus
Let us focus our attention on the things we should be doing together as workers of Christ for the sick, the least and the poor.
The Order of Malta Philippines hosted and celebrated a Mass of the Holy Spirit last January 9, 2019, at their office compound in Quiapo, Manila. Aside from the members, the Order invited all its partner organizations and volunteers.
In his homily, Fr. Genaro “Gennie” Diwa, conventual chaplain ad honorem, reflected on the gospel account of John the Baptist losing his disciples to Jesus. Fr. Diwa said that like John the Baptist, a worker of Christ must perform works that will lead people towards the experience of Jesus.
“Perhaps St. John the Baptist is the patron of the Order so that we will not deceive ourselves into thinking that our programs are for our benefit. We must decrease. Jesus must increase,” shared Fr. Diwa.
Fr. Diwa further explained that the grandness of a project does not matter because if they do not lead people towards Christ, then all will be in vain.
“We celebrate the Mass of the Holy Spirit at the start of the year to remind us that everything must lead to Jesus, so that Christ may be experienced by others,” added Fr. Diwa.
After the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, Don Eric Nicolas and Dr. Jaime Lapus, Hospitaller and Vice President of the Order of Malta respectively, along with Don Leonardo de Ocampo, President of the Philippine Hospitaller Foundation of the Order of Malta, gave personal messages of thanks to the attending partners and volunteers.
Among the organizations recognized were Elsie Gaches Village, SM Foundation, St. Martin Foundation, San Martin de Porres Charity Hospital, PHAPCares Foundation, Cardinal Santos Memorial Hospital, Institute of Sisters of the Angels, San Juan de Dios Educational Foundation, San Lazaro Hospital and the parishes of St. Anthony, San Agustin and Espiritu Santo Parish.
All those present then gathered for a fellowship breakfast after the Holy Mass.
The Mass of the Holy Spirit is held annually by the Order of Malta Philippines upon declaration of His Eminence Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle in 2013.
