Kochi: Cardinal George Alencherry, head of the Syro Malabar Church, has called on the faithful to celebrate lives as constant Passover (liberation by God) with Christ. He was giving his homily as the main celebrant of the Maundy Thursday celebrations at St. Mary’s Cathedral Basilica, Ernakulam. The cardinal also washed the feet of 12 faithful as part of washing of feet service on Holy Thursday.
The cardinal reminded the congregation that the ritual of washing of feet carries the dual messages of humility and service. Each and everyone of our society deserves our service. With humble hearts and in union with Jesus, we should face the daily battles of our lives, he said.
Speaking of the importance of Holy Mass, the prelate said that Jesus was the ‘paschal lamb’ (sacrificial lamb) for today’s Christians , sacrificing himself at the altar for redeeming the humanity . He urged the faithful to have a blessed life by celebrating this sacrament which symbolizes Christ’s passion,death and resurrection.
The prelate called on all Christians to be living witnesses to Jesus and to lead a life in union with God and other fellow human beings. He also asked the congregation to contemplate on their lives to see if it was in accordance to the teaching of Jesus.
An Eucharistic adoration was also held at the basilica , which is the headquarters of the Major Archeparchy of Ernakulam-Angamaly