MANILA, Philippines — Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle invited the Catholic faithful, especially the youth, not to back down from doing what is right despite derision.
"Don't allow yourselves to be affected by those who mock, who laugh at you for doing what is right. Stand firm! Stay faithful! Sooner or later, it will come to pass," Tagle said in his homily for Palm Sunday.
"Joy without measure awaits those who remain steadfast in their faith in God," the bishop added.
He said Filipino Catholics will find themselves imitating Jesus Christ if they persevere in doing good, but he warned that they may also suffer.
"Young people, parents, public servants! Even though it may bring much suffering and hardship, remain faithful to God. Be like San Lorenzo Ruíz de Manila who declared that he who would gladly die a thousand more times for God," he said, referring to the first Filipino saint.