INTRODUCTION
Noong unang panahon may nagtanong sa ating Mahal na Panginoong Hesukristo kung gaano niya kamahal ang sangkatauhan.

Ang tanong na ito ay hindi niya sinagot sa pamamagitan ng salita, kundi, idinipa niya ang kanyang mga bisig at siya’y namatay sa Krus.

At sa dakilang pagpapakasakit na iyon, tinubos niya ang mga kasalanan ng tao.
CHRIST’S EXEMPLARY SELFLESSNESS
The death of Christ on the cross is humankind’s greatest example of self-sacrifice and of an all-embracing love. It is an example he left for us to emulate — not necessarily by giving up our lives in the same dramatic gesture, but by serving others selflessly in the here and now — particularly the poor, the sick, the disabled, the powerless and the marginalized among us.

This distinguishes our Christian faith: to follow Jesus’ way is to commit oneself or one’s church to looking after the welfare of others.
A DEEP PERSONAL COMMITMENT
This responsibility devolves more heavily upon those of us in the best positions to do public good. That includes my fellow servants and workers in government, from each of whom must spring a deep and lasting personal commitment to maintain the highest standards of moral rectitude, of integrity, and of performance.

Thereby, we serve God himself as Matthew tells us: “whatever you did to the least of my brothers and sisters, you did it for me.” (Matthew 25:40)

Ang pagsilbi sa bayan ay pagsilbi na rin sa Diyos.

Sa panahong ito ng mga Mahal na Araw, bilang paggunita sa pagpapakasakit ng ating Panginoon, ay isabuhay nating lahat ang mga dakilang aral ng Banal na Aklat.

If we believe in the necessity of sacrifice and in the virtue of service, then we can believe as well in the certainty of our redemption and our salvation, as individuals and as a people.
CLOSING
Today let us reflect upon what we have done — and what we have yet to do — to deserve christ’s love, and the blessings promised by his sacrifice.

Magdasal po tayong lahat at pagnilay-nilayan natin ang ating mga pagkukulang sa isa’t isa, nang sumaatin ang kapatawaran, ang kapayapaan, at ang kaluwalhatian ng Diyos.